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MAINE 
AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS 

Resources and Opportunities 



WITH ILLUSTRATIONS 



ISSUED BY 

MAINE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

M 

A. W. GILMAN, Commissioner 
AUGUSTA 



AUGUSTA 

KENNKBEC JOURNAI, PRINT 
I9IO 






.-^^^ 



INTRODUCTION. 

hi submitting this b(3ok to the pubhc, the Department of 
Agriculture beheves it is advisable to say a few words rela- 
tive to its contents. The need of some definite information 
regarding agricultural productions and resources of the State 
has long been felt. The many inquiries which were continually 
Ijeing received in this line, emphasized the importance of se- 
curing such data as would give to the public a more intelligent 
idea of our agriculture. The Maine Legislature of 1909 recog- 
nized the need of this work and made an appropriation for 
that purpose. In accordance with this act, the information 
and data included in this book have been gathered and are 
believed to be authentic. Every incorporated town in the State 
has been visited by a representative and all estimates are based 
on actual acreage and production of 12 per cent to 20 per cent of 
the farms in each town. The county data have been estimated 
from that of the towns. After compiling and tabulating this 
information, a visit was made to a number of the most prom- 
inent agriculturists in each county and matters such as general 
opportunities, special advantages, interest taken by the farm- 
ers, etc., were thoroughly discussed, and information in these 
lines made a part of this report. 

T(j the farmers of the State, this book should prove of great 
value, as it will afford an opportunity to become better ac- 
quainted with the crop production and resources. It is hoped 
that a knowledge of these facts may encourage better methods 
of farming and increase production. No state can offer a 
more promising future to the farmers than Maine. Farm land 
can be purchased at a reasonable price, and in some parts of 
the State at a very low price. The opportunities are not limited 
to one kind of farming, but they are diversified and offer an 
inducement to one interested in any line of agriculture. Rail- 
roads give excellent service, furnishing ample transportation 
to home and outside markets. Maine's twenty cities and ex- 
cellent summer resorts furnish a home market that is unsur- 
passed. 

A cordial welcome is extended to every person who desires 
to become a citizen and make a home in Maine. 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 



THE AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 

By Dr. Geo. M. Tvvitchell. Auburn, Maine. 
The geography of Maine is famihar to every student ; the 
agriculture of ]\Iaine is as yet an 'unknown quantity. Those 
who have delved longest and most critically are the last to 
set bounds. The years have brought only a growing conscious- 
ness of what the State might do when its natural resources 
are fairly organized for development. 

Figures startle, but they also disappoint in that there re- 
mains the consciousness that no complete returns are avail- 
able. The fifty-eight thousand farms operated by the fifty- 
four thousand farmers include all grades and conditions of 
soil found in the East, from the hard granite hills of the west- 
ern and northern to the red sandstone along our eastern border. 
With all this variety of soil structure there is not a farm but 
is, or might be, productive to a high degree, of some of the 
leading crops of the State. This diversity in soil structure 
is fully equalled by diversity in soil adaptation. If Aroostook 
farmers run chiefiy to potatoes, it is a matter of choice, not 
necessity, for no section of country in all this nation will pro- 
duce more or better wheat, rye, oats, barley, buckwheat or 
grass than that county. If the farmers of central Maine mag- 
nify the fruit crop it is not because others cannot be profitably 
grown, for there is no portion of all the United States where 
corn, grain, potatoes or other crops will yield richer or better 
harvests per acre than on these self-same hills. 

The agricultural strength of Maine lies in its diversified 
possibilities. There is no call here for a man to pu.t his eggs 
all in one basket, and if he d'oes this it is purely a matter of 
choice. Maine cannot produce as many acres of corn as Iowa 
or Kansas, but she can distance either in yield per acre. Maine 
has not the prairies for pasturage, but she has the silos where 
the succulent food there wasted can here be converted into 
beef at a profit. The fact is, the men of Maine are not yet 
alive to what the State can do. Through natural causes some 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 5 

! 

of these farms have been left, but not in the historv of the 
State has a harvest so large, so varied, or so valuable been 
gathered, as in 1910. The loss in acres has been more than 
equalled by the increase in yield per acre. A few years ago 
one hundred barrels of potatoes per acre was the standard of 
excellence in the potato growing section. Today it is one hun- 
dred and twenty-five to thirty. A few }ears ago sixty bushels 
of shelled corn to the acre was thought the capacity of our 
farms. This year many growers have reached eighty and 
others have passed one hundred, and that, too, with only good 
farm care and fertilization. Not long ago two hundred and 
fifty pound cows were the level our dairymen were striving for. 
Today one will hear all over the milk and cream sections of 
the State, "I don't keep a cow which will not make three hun- 
dred to three hundred and fifty pounds yearly ;"' or "There 
is only one cow in my barn below the three hundred pound 
mark and she must go for I cannot afford to keep her." This 
is the situation which is becoming general all over Maine. As 
a result the potato crop of 1910 will approximate thirty- 
five million bushels, of which one-half are i:)roduced in Aroos- 
took County. The peculiar adaptability of Maine soil to the 
growing- of potatoes is seen in the rapid increase, both in vol- 
tmie per acre and in total output. Ten years ago Aroostook 
County produced very nearly all the potatoes grovvii tor mar- 
ket in Maine, whereas today all the older counties are rapidly 
increasing the acreage and fully equalling Aroostook 
in productiveness. On the banks of the Androscoggin, 
one farmer has taken 3,350 bushels from ten acres, the best two 
and one-half acres giving him 1,000 bushels of sound potatoes. 
On the hills of Kennebec County six acres gave 2,750 bushels, 
with practically no decayed potatoes. In fact, in all the coun- 
ties it has been no uncommon thing to record three hundred 
bushels per acre. Compare this with the boast of a western 
state paper, of sixty acres yielding 6,000 bushels. The high- 
est state yield outside of Maine is New York. Avhere the aver- 
age is 125 bushels per acre. Here it has been two hundred 
and twenty-five bushels for years, and the average is steadily 
increasing. Maine is yet to be the great potato growing state 
of all the East and the extent of the increase is beyond present 
computation. 



6 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

Potatoes need a cool, moist climate for perfection, yet so 
completely are the conditions balanced that Maine sweet corn 
is everywhere recognized as the choicest in quality of any 
grown in all the country. This industry, founded in Maine 
fifty years ago, has steadily increased until the output of our 
factories this year exceeded 1,200,000 cases, or more than 
28,000,000 cans. Years ago the price paid was one cent and a 
half per pound for cut corn, but gradually this has increased 
until in 1910 the farmers realized 2^ cents, and next year they 
will get 2J.4 cents per pound. Through a system of critical 
selection of seed and a more thorough method of growing, 
corn which formerly cut twenty-six to thirty pounds to the 
bushel has this year cut from thirty-five to forty pounds. The 
average realized bv the growers this year has been practically 
$70 per acre, against $45 in 1906 and 1907. In all the history 
of the industry there has not been a year when the yield of 
cut corn per hundred pounds of ears has been as heavy as 
in 1910. A life long grower writes: "I believe with proper 
care and culture, every farmer ought to get from $90 to $120 
per acre. We have not yet learned our full duty to the sweet 
corn crop." As the farmers have the stalks in most succu- 
lent condition for the silo, the husks and cobs to haul back 
home from the factories, the best growers estimate that the 
cost is largely covered by the focider plus the improved con- 
dition of the land. Beyond this we have a phenomenal record 
by growers all over the sweet corn territory. Not a factory 
but has paid some of the patrons at the rate of one hundred 
dollars or more per acre for cut corn at the factory. One 
man with two-thirds of an acre realized $99.84, another from 
one acre and seventy-three rods carried home $206.00 or 
$141 per acre. Still another from his acre got $150, and one 
man from eight measured acres received $927. These illustra- 
tions stand, for they are well authenticated and furnish abund- 
ant evidence in support oi the claim of Maine as a corn grow- 
ing State. It must be remembered that sweet corn is not as 
sure a crop as yellow corn, and this makes the record the more 
remarkable. 

Out of the combined infiuence of the workers a great u])- 
lift in flint corn production has been witnessed and the acre- 
age has been largely increased. Maine is not adapted to 
dent corn culture, but flint corn gives sure returns. These 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 7 

have been increasing- in recent years as greater attention has 
been paid to cuhivation, fertilization, and especially the se- 
lection of seed, until this year some growers have even ex- 
ceeded the one hundred bushel mark. This means an uplift 
to the average of the State which must place it first in the 
list. The writer this. year grew one hundred and nineteen and 
one-tenth bushels of shelled corn from one acre, the variety 
being a hybrid which he is perfecting. 

That Maine has always been a great hay state is a matter 
of history. That the acre yield is being increased by the pro- 
gressive farmers is a fact. Whether on the higher levels, the 
rocky side hills or the clay valleys, grass flourishes wherever 
cultivated, and constitutes a crop of immense value to the State. 

It is when we pass over to the orchards that we find the pe- 
culiar field for greatly increased work in Maine. Trees spring 
wild all over the fruit belt and thrive wherever given an op- 
jxjrtunity. If in past years there has been a measure of neglect, 
there surely is to lie seen an awakening in every direction, 
the result being a phenomenal increase in the number of apple 
trees set in i«jio. The trees now of bearing age would easily 
produce twice the jjresent } ield if properly pruned, fertilized, 
sprayed and protected. The fact that the crop just going to 
market is the cleanest ever harvested is the b?st proof of that 
new interest which will insure increasing orchards and a more 
uniform grade of choice fruit. 

It is fast becoming apparent that there is no siu'er invest- 
ment than an orchard on the hillsides of Maine. Many acres 
set to standard fruit will, by tlie time the trees are ten years 
old, pay all expenses to tliat date, and from that time on net 
six per cent on five hundred to one thousand dollars an acre. 
Good land, well adapted for orchard growing, can today be 
purchased for twenty-five dollars an acre, making this an at- 
tractive field f(jr the investor,-— far more certain, far more 
secure, far more profitable, than far ofif mines or orange groves. 

Passing down the list, the story of all small fruits must 
be in full harmony with yield in other lines. Reports before 
me tell of five, six and seven hundred dollars per acre in straw- 
berries, a yield which insures a profit wdiich satisfies. 

The cabbage industry, which means so much to Southern 
Cumberland, and Lincoln County, or the cranberry bogs so 
inviting and profitable to the growers of the eastern portion. 



8 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

and the blueberry fields of Washington County, with their 
great revenue, bear further testimony to the variety of products 
adapted to Maine farms, all insuring ample returns. 

When we pass from the field of production to that of con- 
version Maine moves at once to the front, placed there by the 
influence of the sweet cream industry and watchful care of 
the State Agricultural Department. While the sweet cream 
trade has been growing for years, the coming of the cow 
test association and the enthusiasm injected by the State Dairy 
Instructors and their assistants, have put this industry in an 
impregnable position, where profits are sure to every dairy- 
man who tries to live up to the light given him. Today through 
the active eflforts of a live Breeders' Association, there is prom- 
ise of further increase of all the dairy herds. The year 1910 
closes with the dairymen united for work along most exacting 
lines, the sheep breeders organized to protect, promote and 
strengthen the flocks of the State, the poultry growers being 
organized for systematic work in breeding and feeding for 
heavier production, and the Maine Live Stock Association alive 
to the opportunity for developing in every way possible, the 
merits of all the breeds. 

The past ten years have witnessed a complete revolution in 
the agricultural sentiment of the State, and the history of those 
years, from 1902 to 1911, when fully written, will be full of 
credit for the men who have inaugurated the measures which 
today place us on the threshhold of great opportunities. In 
these years we have seen the establishment of a department 
under a competent State Dairy Instructor, wdiich today pro- 
tects the consumers in every town and city by keeping a rec- 
ord of every milk and cream dealer, and by frequently sampling 
the product as well as inspecting the barns and herds. This is 
steadily raising the standard of production through personal 
oversight over all cow test associations, and has been the main- 
spring in starting the wheels of the several breeders' and seed 
improvement associations. In addition, an entomological de- 
partment has been established, a wise and competent officer 
placed in control, and a service of inestimable value done the 
State by awakening the people to the dangers from insect pests 
and to a knowledge of their habits and means of prevention and 
destruction. Beyond all this, the arousing of the people of Maine 
to the imporatnce of more and better work in our orchards and 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 9 

the increase of the same but illustrates what has been aimed at 
in every direction in the broader work of the department. 

This revolution does not as yet show itself so much in great- 
er operations as in the purpose to grasp more completely the 
fundamental lessons, but in the thoroughness manifested in 
ever}- line of work there is sure promise of substantial ad- 
vance. 

The eftective campaigns of these several years will bear 
fruit for many more to come and prove the wisdom and the 
thoroughness of work of faithful officials. If wisdom pre- 
vails and this chain of influence is not disturbed, the next 
ten years will witness a substantial advance along all agricul- 
tural lines, a decided increase in all the crops grown and an 
era of prosperity for rural Maine not realized in all the past. 
The greatest asset of the State is its farms and that asset has 
within its grasp the possibility of great extension. Of all the 
states Maine holds out the most attractive prospects for tht 
man who would seek health, comfort, happiness and good liv- 
ing from the land. All along the line the influences are 
strengthening and if, by united effort, the cry of Maine for 
Maine is persistently raised and repeated, the permanent pros- 
peritv of our asfriculture will certainlv b? realized. 



8 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

and the blueberry fields of Washington County, with their 
great revenue, bear further testimony to the variety of products 
adapted to Maine farms, all insuring ample returns. 

When we pass from the field of production to that of con- 
version Maine moves at once to the front, placed there by the 
influence of the sweet cream industry and watchful care of 
the State Agricultural Department. While the sweet cream 
trade has been growing for years, the coming of the cow 
test association and the enthusiasm injected by the State Dairy 
Instructors and their assistants, have put this industry in an 
impregnable position, where profits are sure to every dairy- 
man who tries to live up to the light given him. Today through 
the active efforts of a live Breeders' Association, there is prom- 
ise of further increase of all the dairy herds. The year 19 lo 
closes with the dairymen united for work along most exacting 
lines, the sheep breeders organized to protect, promote and 
strengthen the flocks of the State, the poultry growers being 
organized for systematic work in breeding and feeding for 
heavier production, and the Maine Live Stock Association alive 
to the opportunity for developing in every way possible, the 
merits of all the breeds. 

The past ten years have witnessed a complete revolution in 
the agricultural sentiment of the State, and the history of those 
years, from 1902 to 191 1, when fully written, will be full of 
credit for tiie men who have inaugurated the measures which 
today place us on the threshhold of great opportunities. In 
these }'ears we have seen the establishment of a department 
under a competent State Dairy Instructor, wdiich today pro- 
tects the consumers in every town and city by keeping a rec- 
ord of every milk and cream dealer, and by frequently sampling 
the product as well as inspecting the barns and herds. This is 
steadily raising the standard of production through personal 
oversight over all cow test associations, and has been the main- 
spring in starting the wheels of the several breeders' and seed 
improvement associations. In addition, an entomological de- 
partment has been established, a wise and competent officer 
])laced in control, and a service of inestimable value done the 
State by awakening the people to the dangers from insect pests 
and to a knowledge of their habits and means of prevention and 
destruction. Beyond all this, the arousing of the people of Maine 
to the imporatnce of more and better work in our orchards and 



AGRICULTURAL STATLSTICS OF MAIxXE. 9 

the increase of the same but illustrates what has been aimed at 
in every direction in the broader work of the department. 

This revolution does not as yet show itself so much in great- 
er operations as in the purpose to grasp more completely the 
fundamental lessons, but in the thoroughness manifested in 
every line of work there is sure promise of substantial ad- 
vance. 

The effective campaigns of these several years will bear 
fruit for many more to come and prove the wisdom and the 
thoroughness of work of faithful officials. If wisdom pre- 
vails and this chain of influence is not disturbed, the next 
ten years will witness a substantial advance along all agricul- 
tural lines, a decided increase in all the crops grown and an 
era of prosperity for rural Maine not realized in all the past. 
The greatest asset of the State is its farms and that asset has 
within its grasp the possibility of great extension. Of all the 
srates Maine holds out the most attractive prospects for tht 
man who would seek health, comfort, happiness and good liv- 
ing from the land. All along the line the influences are 
strengthening and if, by united effort, the cry of Maine for 
Maine is persistently raised and repeated, the permanent pros- 
perity of our agriculture will certainly b^ realized. 



lO AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 



.MAINE DAIRYIXG. 

By R. W. Redman, State Dair)' Instructor. 

Dairying- in Maine has advanced rapidly during the last 
few years, though a shortage of crops in the summers of 1907 
and 1908 caused a decrease in the total number of cows in 
the State. There is an increasing demand for milk, cream, 
butter, cheese and dairy stock, at good prices. Maine enjoys 
an extra good market for sweet cream ; a market which will 
take care of all that can be produced with a much larger num- 
ber of cows than we have at the present time. Milk and cream 
are both being shipped in large cjuantities to southern New 
England for consumption — both raw and pasteurized. Some 
butter is being made in private dairies, but the demand is far 
greater than the supply. Only a few (fairies in Maine are 
making cheese. Some of the cheese makers received in the 
fall of 1910, 25c. per llx for plain cheese and 26c. per lb. for 
sage and tansy cheese., with an active market. Dairy stock 
is scarce, very good prices being paid for milking cows, while 
young stock sells readily. 

The people are much more interested in dairying than they 
were a few years ago, on account of better prices and a broad- 
er knowledge of the necessities for successful dairying; they 
understand their cows better; they are making their stables 
more comfortable, admitting more light and using more white- 
\vash : they are using better judgment in feeding. The num- 
ber of silos has increased rapidly, and on the whole the peo- 
ple are paying much more attention to the details of their work, 
and as a result, getting a greater profit. On account of a better 
knowledge of dairying, diflferent cropping systems are being 
carried out on the farms, so the rotation of crops gives more 
food for dair}' stock. A large number of the dairymen are 
raising soiling crops to supplement the summer pastures ; many 
of them have already installed a summer silo to assist them dur- 
ing a shortage of summer feed. 

The work of the Cow Test Ass(iciations and the Dairv Cat- 



12 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAIXE. 



THE LIVE STOCK INDUSTRY OF MAINE. 

By P. A. Campdell, 

Professor of Animal Industry, U. of AL, Orono. 

Any system of farming that necessitates using a large por- 
tion of the profit derived from selling the raw products from 
the farm to buy back the fertility thus sold, in order to grow 
another crop, is bound to be a failure sooner or later. The farm 
or the farmer that will continue to do business year after year 
in Maine is the one that sells just as near as possible, the 
furnished product to the consumer. Everything necesary for 
the maintenance of the home and of the live stock on the farm 
should be produced within the borders of the farm as near as 
possible. 

The roughage that is necessarily grown on the farm in the 
general rotation of crops finds a ready market at remunerative 
prices when changed into draft horses, beef, mutton, pork or 
dairy products. More grain, root crops and corn silage grown 
on the farm and fed to the animals on the farm will help to keep 
the farmers in better condition, and insure to them a steady 
income. 

A keener understanding of business details and a greater 
knowledge of the technical, as well as the practical side of the 
operations are more essential than with a single crop system. 
Aside from growing the crops to be fed the animals, a knowl- 
edge of breeding, feeding, and care of sick animals is essential. 

There are two lines of stock breeding that can be followed. 
One is producing breeding stock, which is sold to oiher breed- 
ers to replenish their herds and flocks, and to help them to 
grade up their stock. The other is to produce animals for work, 
for supplying meat and dairy products. 

The former method is perhaps the more remunerative but 
demands greater skill on the part of the breeder, and his obli- 
gations to the public are many, for if he is not careful in select- 
ing the breeding stock M^hich he sends out, he will be a detri- 
ment to the industry, and his reputation will be of short dura- 
tion. 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. I^ 

The latter method consists of furnishing the animals for mar- 
ket, to be used at once for work or for consumption. 

It is true that there are depressions in the live stock market 
as there are in all other industries, but if the history of the live 
stock world is reviewed it will be found that the breeder who 
has remained steadily in the business has always won out, and 
when others are going out it is the time to remain in, as higher 
prices are sure to follow. 

Horses: The automobile, auto-truck and traction engine 
have not taken the place of the horse as has been prophesied 
that they would do, but rather have tended to supplement the 
work of the horse and make it possible for the supply of horses 
lo keep up nearer to the ever increasing demand. Here in 
Maine the lumber interests, the shipping interests and the farm- 
ing operations, demand a large number of draft horses annually. 
To supply these needs, large numbers are shipped into the State 
yearly at a heavy expense to the State of Maine. These horses 
are raised on land that has a high value placed upon it. They 
pass through the hands of fatteners, commission men, and ship- 
pers so that by the time they reach their field of work, several 
profits have already been made on them, and the price actually 
paid l)y the consumer is far in excess of the money the producer 
received. There is no reason why a large part of the horses 
needed in Maine should not be raised on the Maine farms. 

Good draft stallions of a recognized breed bred to the mares 
of draft type already on. the farm will produce as good work- 
ing stock as can be purchased in the market, and at much less 
cost. After a few years, they should be much better, as they 
become higher grades and take on a uniformity of type. 

The high class carriage horse and gentleman's driver should 
not be left out of a discussion of this kind, because as long as 
man and horse endure there will always be a demand for them, 
and no mechanical contrivance will ever be able to thrill the 
operator as do the lines passing from the bit in a spirited 
horse's mouth to the hands of the driver. The type, style and 
education of a horse of this kind mean everything, and their 
production is the result of the skill of the breeder in selecting 
the breeding stock, and in being able to grow and train the colt 
ready for the trade. The demand is always far in excess of the 
supply. 

Beef cattle: A breaking of all the large tracts of the West 



14 AGKICULTLKAI. STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

into smaller farms and homesteads has resulted in forcing to 
market large numbers of cattle in an unfinished condition, and 
many that ought to have been kept for breeding purposes. As 
this work continues and the population increases it must neces- 
sarily result in a greater scarcity of beef, and higher prices. 
]\Iaine is far better adapted than many other states to taking- 
care of the needs of her people in this respect, because there is 
much land that is not now utilized, that can be used for beef 
making, and the time is not far distant when this will be the 
case. • 

Dairy cattle: There was never a time in history when 
dairy cattle commanded more money in the market and were 
harder to buy than at the present time. There is room and a 
need for far more than there are at present. The breeding- 
end alone is profitable, and at the same time there is a profit 
to be derived from the dairy side. More cows, better cows, and 
the use of more pure bred sires is the crying need at the present 
time. The Testing Associations and Breeders' Associations are 
helping to solve this problem in a small way. but are far too 
restricted in their area. 

Sliccl": Several thousand tons of wool are anually shipped 
into the State for the manufacturers. Mutton and lamb are sent 
in to be consumed by the ]\Iaine people. There ought to be ten 
times as many sheep in the State as are now kept. ^ On many 
farms enough goes to waste to feed from ten to twenty- 
five head, where none are now kept. They eat more weeds than 
any other domestic animal, they distribute the fertility evenly 
over the farm, and would help to bring many of the so-called 
worn-out farms to a higher state of fertility, and greater useful- 
ness, besides giving steady returns to the owner. 

Szv-iiic: The number of hogs kept on our Maine farms is far 
too small. They have the power of turning the skim-milk from 
the dairy, and other waste products of the farm and home, into 
a money value. But a small i)ercentage of the pork eaten in 
Maine is produced here. The use of forage crops, — pastures — 
and more suitable quarters for them should make swine one ot 
the sure money crops now on the farm. They have the advant- 
age that less capital is required to start in swine breeding, and 
the returns con-ie quickly. 

On the whole there are excellent opportunities for the pro- 
duction of more live stock and profitable returns for intelligent 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 15 

live Stock husbandry. There is a good demand for ordinary 
animal products and an extra demand for first-class goods bear- 
ing the producer's mark. To appreciate the opportunities for 
growing live stock, one has only to study Maine conditions. 



l6 AGRICLT.TLKAI. STATISTICS OF MAINE. 



^lAINE SCHOOLS. 

By Paysox Smith, State Superintendent of Schools. 
The State of ]vlaine holds a foremost position among the 
states in the support of education and in the superior oppor- 
tunities ofifered to the youth. 

ElEM1:.\ PARV SCPIOOLS. 

The most important part of any school system is the "common 
school," that institution which provides the foundation of all 
other education. To this part of the school system Maine pays 
special attention. Divided as the population is into urban, vil- 
lage and rural communities it has been the purpose of the State 
to secure, as far as p'^ssible, equality of opportunity. To this 
end it has been the policy of the State to raise a large part of 
the school tax directly through the State, distributing annually 
the fund thus secured in a manner which the legislature believed 
would equalize school opportunity. 

For the year 1911 the sum distributed by the State to the 
several cities, towns and plantations for common school pur- 
poses alone will amount to $1,501,435.56. This sum supple- 
mented by $962,683 raised by towns must be expended only for 
teachers' wages, tuition and conveyance of pupils, janitors' 
services and fuel. In addition to this total, towns raise other 
amounts for the purchase of text books, which the law requires 
shall be furnished to pupils free of cost, and for schoolhouse 
repairs. 

All towns of the State are required to conduct common 
schools for at least twenty-six weeks each year. As a matter of 
fact nearly all towns have schools much in excess of the legal 
requirement, the average for the whole state for the vear 1909- 
1910 being thirty-one weeks and two days. 

The State has one of the most advanced compnlsory education 
laws, all persons between the ages of seven and fifteen being 
required to attend school while schools are in session, with the 
additional requirement, recently made, that attendance maA- be 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 17 

compelled to the seventeenth birthday unless a minimum educa- 
tional test can be met. According to a recent statement of Mr. 
Leonard P. Ayers of the Russell Sage Foundation, pupils 
average to remain in school longer in Maine than in any other 
state of the New England group. 

The State supports five Normal schools for the training of 
teachers. These schools are located at Gorham, Farmington, 
Castine, Presque Isle and Machias. A sixth school, the Mada- 
waska Training School at Fort Kent, serves to prepare teachers 
for the schools of the Madawaska Territory. 

There is no expense to persons taking the courses offered by 
the State schools provided they agree to teach in Maine for a 
period equal to that of attendance. The schools graduate annu- 
ally about two hundred teachers. 

Not only the city schools of Maine, but those of rural towns 
are being rapidly brought under expert school supervision. By 
a liberal provision of the law towns are permitted to join for 
the employment of trained superintendents. When towns so 
join liberal aid is given by the State. At the close of the school 
year of 1909 one hundred eighty-four towns and cities with a 
total of two thousand seven hundred eight schools had arranged 
for the employment of persons giving their entire time to school 
supervision. By this arrangement rapid advance has already 
been made and is further assured in economical and business- 
like school administration, in more systematic arrangement of 
courses, in more skillful dfrection of teaching and in more care- 
ful attention to the needs of pupils. 

The elementary school system of Maine, like that of other 
New England States, recognizes the nine grade division. 
Nearly all village and city schools follow systematic courses of 
study. The rural schools while recently showing a hopeful ten- 
dency to recognize the special needs of country children are like- 
wise recognizing the necessity of proper classification of pupils 
and a reasonable degree of system. With more pupils enrolled 
in rural schools than in any other class, Maine citizens and edu- 
cators are giving increased attention to the creation of the high- 
est possible standard of rural school service. With this atten- 
tion there is little reason to doubt that Maine will keep step 
with advanced progress in rural education. 

The total school enrollment in all elementarv schools of Maine 



l8 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

for the year 1909-1910 was 132,592. Of this number 35,715 
were enrolled in city schools; 44,763 in village schools; and 
52,114 in country schools. 

To teach these children there were employed 6,905 different 
teachers, of whom 6,289 were women. 

Secondary Schools. 

The development of the secondary schools of Maine has been 
a source of just pride to the citizens of the State. Like other 
eastern states this system had its beginning in the academies, 
which were first supported by private benefactions and by tui- 
tion. In 1873, however, the State authorized the establishment 
of free public high schools and offered aid for their support. 
Since that date the academy and the high school have flourished 
side by side, each aided by the State and each vying with the 
other in the excellence of the privileges offered. In 1903 fur- 
ther secondary schools legislation provided that pupils resident 
of towns not supporting high schools should, when properly 
qualified, attend the schools of other towns and have their tui- 
tion paid jointly by their home towns and by the State. This 
provision was the final step in placing Maine among the few 
states which make educational privileges free to all pupils up 
to the point of entrance to college. 

For the support of secondary education the towns of the State 
expended for the school year ending July i, 1910, upwards of 
three hundred thousand dollars, the academies one hundred and 
seventy-five thousand dollars and to these amounts the State 
added approximately one hundred and twenty-five thousand 
dollars, making a total of over six hundred thousand dollars 
spent for the support of secondary education. 

There were in attendance upon these secondary schools 15,684 
young men and women following variously English, college 
preparatory, commercial, agricultural, manual training and 
domestic science courses. 

Among the forty-eight academies it would be invidious to 
select any for special mention. Several have enjoyed prosper- 
ous existence for over a hundred years and many offer to their 
students the advantages of the most excellent equipment of 
buildings to be found anywhere. The public high schools have 
won the support and favor of the people and from the humble 
schools of two teachers to the large city institutions of several 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. IQ 

hundreds of students, all are rendering efficient service to the 
communities that support them. 

It is a noteworthy fact that in fourteen of the counties of the 
State secondary school opportunities are within a ten mile 
radius of practically the entire population, while in none of them 
are such privileges greatly distant from a majority of ihe pupils. 
In view of the large undeveloped areas of the State this fact 
is of special importance to prospective residents who properly 
seek information regarding school opportunities before deter- 
mining a place of residence. 

Collegiate Institutions. 

There are in Maine, four institutions of collegiate grade. 
One of these, the University of Maine, is able, through the 
generous support of the State, to offer at a low cost superior 
educational advantages. The others, Bowdoin College, Colby 
College and Bates College, through their liberal endowments 
and generous policies, are able to give similar privileges ; like- 
wise, at a minimum of expense. 

Bowdoin College at Brunswick, was chartered by the mother 
State of Massachusetts in 1794. It has a distinguished list of 
alumni, including statesmen, authors, scientists and men of 
affairs. Including its Medical College it has a faculty of sixty- 
three and a student body of 419. The college has stood for a 
broad and liberal educational policy and has been a potent influ- 
ence in the life not only of the State, but of the entire nation. 

Colby College at Waterville chartered by the State of Maine 
in 1820, takes high standing among the colleges of New Eng- 
land. It early recognized the demand for collegiate courses for 
women and since 187 1 both men and women have been admitted 
on equal terms. The College now provides for the separation 
of the students into divisions for men and women with equal 
privileges for each division. For the year 1909-1910 the Col- 
lege had a faculty membership of twenty-one and a student 
membership of two hundred ninety-eight. 

Bates College at Lewiston was chartered by the State of 
Maine in 1863. It has a faculty of twenty-two and a student 
body of four hundred sixty-one. Bates College has rendered 
illustrious service in many fields but special recognition is due 
it for the service it has given to the public schools. Probably 



20 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

no Other New England college has directly enlisted so large a 
proportion of its graduates in the field of service covered by 
the public schools. Its list of efficient teachers, principals and 
school superintendents is noteworthy, not only for its length, 
but for the high standard of service rendered by them. 

The University of Maine, chartered in 1865 as the "State 
College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts" was founded as 
the result of the "Morrell Act" by which the United States 
Government sought to encourage the establishment by the 
states of institutions in which there should especially be taught 
"such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the 
mechanic arts, without excluding other scientific and classical 
studies." 

The University of Maine is supported by the income from 
the sale of public lands given to the State by the National 
Government, by the income of certain bequests, by appropria- 
tions of Congress, by the appropriations of the State and by 
the fees and tuitions of students. 

The University has enjoyed a very rapid growth, its recent 
percentage of growth having been exceeded by no other sim- 
ilar institution of the eastern states. Its student body in all 
departments for the year 1909-1910 numbered eight hundred 
and fifty, classified as follows : College of Arts and Sciences, 
one hundred eighty-four; College of Agriculture, one hun- 
dred fifty-eight ; College of Technology, three hundred eighty- 
six ; College of Pharmacy, twenty-one ; College of Law, one 
hundred one. Its faculty membership was ninety-three. 

In the liberal support of higher education by the people 
and in the large student enrollment in the colleges of the State 
is to be found evidence of the same popular faith in education 
that the citizens of Maine have placed in the entire school 
system. 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 21 



MAINE. 

By Thomas J. Lyons, Com. of Industrial and Labor Statistics. 

Maine, the play ground of the nation, entertains more sum- 
mer visitors than any other territory, of equal area, in the 
country and is embracing every legitimate facility for increas- 
ing her prestige as' a recreation ground. Already the railroad, 
automobile, motor boat, steamer and sail boat have been en- 
listed to combine pleasure with transportation to Maine. Im- 
proved service at hotels, both year-round and summer, is con- 
stantly attracting a better class of guests. Telephone, tele- 
graph and rural delivery render communication with the out- 
side world convenient and continuous. Bath rooms, hot and 
cold water, and other luxurious appointments of the hotels and 
cottages enable visitors to be as comfortable and contented as 
in their winter establishments. Good roads are a standing 
invitation to the motorist and horse lover to journey among our 
beautiful villages and farms for pleasure. Yachting meetings, 
base ball, golf, bowling and other sports of the summer season 
furnish entertainment among the colonies where the cottagers 
come early in spring and stay until late in the fall. 

Maine is plentifully supplied with bathing beaches, ranging 
from the magnificent stretch of sand as hard as asphalt at Old 
Orchard to the small resorts like Crescent Beach in Knox Coun- 
ty and Bowery Beach on Cape Elizabeth. Old Orchard has 
been a big resort for lovers of surf bathing and cool ocean 
breezes for many years and has lost none of its charm since 
swept by fire. In fact the new Old Orchard is much more 
attractive in many respects than was the old. 

At the mouth of the Kennebec is Popham Beach, one of the 
best on the coast. Its development has not been as extensive as 
that of Old Orchard, but doubtless in the near future its beau- 
ties will be better appreciated. All along the coast there are 
smaller beaches which ofifer as fine, though more limited, bathing 
facilities as do Old Orchard and Popham, while nearly every 
mile of coast line contains a sandy cove or little beach among 
the rocks. 



22 AGRICULTUR^^L STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

Maine property used wholly for recreation, that is, summer 
cottages, hotels, club houses and camps, with their contents, 
have a cash value of approximately $50,000,000. This great 
investment, which demands little in the way of municipal im- 
provement, pays taxes on a valuation of about $16,000,000. 
Compensation for the valuation Hes in the fact that whatever 
taxes are paid, are very largely a net profit to the townspeople. 

According to statistics gathered from the assessors of the 
several cities and towns by the Bureau of Industrial and Labor 
Statistics in 1909, summer property was valued at 1951O55 in 
Androscoggin county, of which $21,915 was owned outside the 
State, $22,640 was owned within the State and $150,500 con- 
sisted of hotels used exclusively for summer guests. The sum- 
mer property reported from Aroostook consisted of $1,400 
owned outside the State, $15,400 owned within the State and 
$10,708 in hotels, a total of $27,508; in Cumberland, $983,895 
owned outside the State, $1,167,030 owned within the State 
and $353,850 in hotels, a total of $2,504,775 ; in Franklin, $134,- 
000 owned outside the State, $48,770 owned within the State 
and $108,325 in hotels, a total of $291,095; in Hancock. $4,- 
418,706 owned outside the State, $761,604 owned within the 
State and $346,804 in hotels, a total of $5,527,114; in Kenne- 
bec, $106,435 owned outside the State, $109,570 owned within 
the State and $80,100 in hotels, a total of $296,105 ; in Knox, 
$967,199 owned outside the State, $75,210 owned within the 
State and $196,855 in hotels, a total of $1,239,264; in Lincoln, 
$539,735 owned outside the State, $174,985 owned within the 
State and $110,890 in hotels, a total of $825,610; in Oxford, 
885,105 owned outside the State, S57.975 owned within the 
State and $73,588 in hotels, a total of $216,668: in Penobscot, 
$6,775 owTied outside the State, $56,305 owned within the State 
and $4,400 in hotels, a total of $67,480; in Piscataquis, $13.- 
660 owned outside the State, $24,790 owned within the State 
and $10,650 in hotels, a total of $49,100: in Sagadahoc, $173,- 
581 owned outside the State, $86,705 owned within the State 
and $56,600 in hotels, a total of $316,886; in Somerset. $16,- 
975 owned outside the State, $29,105 owned within the State 
and $i-/.62^ in hotels, a total of $63,705 ; in Waldo, $696,410 
owned outside the State, $151,471 owned within the State and 
$36,350 in hotels, a total of $884,231 ; in Washington, $64,904 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 3$ 

owned outside the State, $26,283 owned within the State and 
$17,600 in hotels, a total of $108,787; in York, $1,931,388 owned 
outside the State, $302,230 owned within the State and $660,- 
230 in hotels, a total of $2,893,848; a grand total of $10,162,- 
083 owned outside the State, of $3,110,073 owned within the 
State and $2,235,075 in hotels, in all $15,507,231 worth of prop- 
erty, divided into 10,372 parcels. To these should be added 
seven hotels and club houses on wild land townships, valued 
at $278,000; 105 sporting camps worth $318,150 and 27 camps 
owned by registered guides and worth $81,810, a total of $677,- 
960. If the summer property in organized towns is returned 
by the assessors at 50 per cent of its real value (a by no means 
unreasonable supposition) the real value must be at least $31,- 
014,462, or, of the cottages at least, $26,544,312. Allowing one- 
half the outlay for real estate and buildings as a fair estimate 
of the value of the furnishings, there is an additional invest- 
ment of $13,272,156 for that item in the cottages, or a total of 
$15,507,231 in all, which, with the sporting camps, club houses 
and hotels on wild lands, and the furnishings therein makes a 
grand total of about $47,500,000. Any one familiar with the 
vast extent of the recreation industry will admit these figures 
to be conservative and will further grant that the spread of 
the summer cottage idea is so rapid that the statistics will need 
revision "upward" each succeeding year. Great as the move- 
ment is at the present time, we have only seen its beginning. 

Leading officials of transportation companies estimate that 
the average yearly income from summer visitors and tourists 
is $25,000,000. This great sum is brought into Maine and spent 
freely, in many instances, lavishly, in order that the spenders 
may be well housed, fed and entertained ; and the sum is con- 
stantly growing larger. 

Every foot of shore front from Kittery to Eastport can be 
sold today for a price that would have astounded our grand- 
fathers. Every island, regardless of its isolation and exposure 
to storm and gale, is looked upon as the site of a summer home. 
There is hardly a lake or stream among our inland hills and 
valleys that is not already laying claim to distinction as a sum- 
mer resort. As one approaches the centers of population the 
cottages on the nearby lakes increase in number, but in attrac- 
tiveness and ability to satisfy the craving for peace and health- 



24 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

giving rest, they are not superior to those found on the shores 
of the remote lakes and streams of the great northern wilder- 
ness. 

A few summer hotel properties in Maine have been losing 
ventures, but in nearly every case new and better management 
has turned loss into profit and enabled the hotels to become 
permanent institutions. Recent developments point to an in- 
crease in this class of property. 

What is comprehensively designated "summer business" in 
this State is by no means confined to cottages and hotels built 
and maintained exclusively for the summer season. Several 
of the best hotels in the State do thousands of dollars worth 
of business with automobilists and other tourists every sum- 
mer. Many such visitors pass enjoyable vacations maintaining 
headquarters at a first class hotel and making little excur- 
sions into the surrounding country. There is no way of form- 
ing an estimate of this class of tourist business, but it is very 
large. 

Farmers' wives who felt the need of replenishing the family 
wardrobe, painting the house or acquiring a desirable timber 
lot, soon detected the possibilities in the "summer boarder." 
Thousands of such women have added substantial sums to the 
family bank account in this way. There is hardly a rural town 
or village in Maine that does not contain from one to a dozen 
summer boarders from June to September. They return year 
after year and frequently acquire property in the neighborhood. 

Maine is indebted to the summer visitors for much of the 
prosperity that has come to her in recent years, for, in addi- 
tion to the vast sums of money brought into the State, the 
quickening influence of new faces, new blood and new ideas 
have combined to aid in an industrial awakening, the potentiality 
of which can hardly be measured at this time. 

Transportation facilities throughout Maine would indeed be 
meagre, if they were dependent upon Maine business for sup- 
port and inducements to expand. The main line of travel through 
this State is, roughly, east and west, and is made up in part 
of residents who, according to the dictates of business or pleas- 
ure, move about from place to place and non-residents who 
come to Maine to tarry for a season and then return to their 
homes in other states. The travel through the State from 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 25 

"border to border may be said to be comparatively small. No 
figures are available to show, accurately, just what portion of 
the travel is from without the State and what springs from 
within the State. This much is certain, however, that what- 
ever Maine residents enjoy in the way of unusually convenient 
railway accommodations has been granted largely through the 
impetus of the summer tourist travel. It is true that some of 
these trains have been retained at the earnest solicitation of 
Maine business men, and have been found to be successful in a 
business way, but it is unpleasant to contemplate the length of 
time those same business men would have been compelled to 
labor with the railroad officials in order to have brought about 
the inauguration of the service in the first instance. What- 
ever is said of steam roads, in this regard, is equally true of 
electric lines. The day is not yet gone when a few such roads 
are run at a loss in winter and the profits of summer stave off 
the impending bankruptcy proceedings. Of course our own 
people contribute very largely to this kind of summer travel, 
but the strangers within our gates swell the total very appreci- 
ably. 

The better the transportation facilities, the better the in- 
ducements are for investors to come to Maine to do business. 
There is no doubt that Maine is indebted to the summer visitors 
for her unusual transportation advantages and that many of 
her industrial enterprises are larger and more prosperous be- 
cause of the latter. 

The foundation of every extensive and prosperous business 
today contains one stone labelled "good advertising." The same 
may truthfully be said of every state which is progressing. The 
western states appreciate the value of advertising and devote 
large sums of money and much energy to it. As old and staid 
a state as New York has been as industriously advertised as 
any of them. Niagara Falls, Saratoga, the State House at Al- 
bany and Brooklyn Bridge were once the chief stock in trade. 
Just now it is a big railroad terminal, a tunnel or two, a huge 
reservoir or Fra Elbertus. 

Maine has few of the spectacular works 'of man with which 
to arrest the attention of a curious world, but the State is rich 
in the wonderful handiwork of nature. No man ever possessed 
the power to make cold type adequately describe the grandeur 



26 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

of old ocean, the peaceful beauty of a river valley or the ma- 
jestic dignity of our great pine solitudes. One must stand on 
a bold headland and hear the roar of the surf, climb to the 
summit of a rocky hill or tramp among the cathedral pines to 
get any conception of these works of God. One who has had 
such an experience tells his work-weary neighbor of the city, 
as best he can, of his experiences and urges him to come and 
drink at this fountain of youth. The second pilgrim tells a 
third, and so on until the journeyings of a few assume the 
proportions of a pilgrimage. That, in brief, is the history of 
Maine's advertising. The greatest and best work has been 
done by those who have seen and felt the wonders of a sum- 
mer vacation in Maine. The summer visitor is Maine's best 
advertising medium. Not only have summer tourists sent other 
vacationists in large numbers but they have also taken note of 
some of our great natural resources, such as water power and 
mineral wealth. Their demand for the telephone and telegraph 
has stretched wires into forest fastnesses which were hereto- 
fore at least a week's journey from the modern facilities for 
communication. Their demand for household conveniences has 
brought reform to the isolated home which are a joy to the 
housewife and have added years to her life. 

The cottages and hotels devoted to the entertainment of the 
summer guests are distributed throughout every portion of the 
State. The cottages owned by non-residents were found in 
227 municipalities, out of 5:^1, or in 43 per cent of them. The 
cottages owned by residents of Maine were found in 234 towns 
or in 45 per cent of them and the summer hotels in 132 towns 
or 25 per cent. Three hundred and four, or 58 per cent of 
the towns in the State contain one or more of these classes. 
While the coast towns contain by far the largest groups of 
cottages and hotels, the property is otherwise well scattered, so 
that the business is evenly developed all over the State. 

The municipalities returning the largest amount of resident 
and non-resident owned and summer hotel property, are Eden, 
$3,429,060: Mt. Desert, $1,004,167; York, $902,623; Port- 
land, $686,750; Old Orchard, $641,240; Islesboro. $631,331; 
Camden, $439,220; Kennebunkport, $427,950; Scarboro, $330,- 
550; Kennebunk, $323,950; Wells, $321,850; Cape Elizabeth, 
$318,700: Harpswell. $297,010: Rockland. $285,400; South- 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE, 27 

port, $281,110; Bristol, $198,315; Rockport, $194,990; Po- 
land, $155,455 ; Winter Harbor, $153,692, and Northport, 

$144,535- 

Automobiles have made easily accessible the isolated places 
of rural Maine which formerly were several days travel from 
the nearest railroad station. In addition, the comfort of auto- 
mobile travel over even the roughest roads, is far superior to 
that afforded by the bone-racking stage. Automobiles also 
render those who travel in them immune from the dirt, dis- 
comforts and noise of railway travel as well as free them from 
the tyranny of the time table. 

The rural hostelries of Maine enjoy such an enviable repu- 
tation that automobile tourists unhesitatingly undertake long 
trips which keep them on the winding roads among the farms 
and forests for weeks at a time. As they "live off the country" 
within the modern meaning of the term, the income of the farm- 
ers, mechanics and hotel keepers is materially augmented. 

Automobile travel is very sensitive to road conditions, in- 
creasing or not according to whether main travelled ways are 
being improved or allowed to deteriorate. Maine, within four 
years, has embarked upon a good roads policy which, though 
primarily for the benefit of the farmers and tradesmen of the 
State, is unquestionably drawing an ever increasing number 
of automobile travellers each season. This good roads policy 
consists principally of the building of strips of road which 
will eventually be connected and form continuous trunk lines. 
Maine roads are always in good condition in the summer time 
and consequently afford splendid opportunities for riding and 
driving as well as motoring. This is true, even in the more 
remote" regions where dirt roads are the rule and macadam has 
not yet penetrated. 

Automobile traffic has repeated history to the extent that its' 
meteoric rise in popularity has been similar to that of the bi- 
cycle, and with the automobile has come the garage, which of- 
fers employment to hundreds of skilled mechanics. Every large 
town has at least one public garage and in cities there are more 
garages than livery stables. The automobile therefore has done 
much to stimulate summer business, and, incidentally the auto- 
mobile traffic which is purely summer business, has done much 
to stimulate the business of making repairs and selling sundries. 

Motor boats, that is, small pleasure craft propelled by gas- 



28 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

r 

olene power, have made thousands of new converts to Maine 
vacation Hfe, for her 2,000 miles of coast Hne, 1500 lakes and 
5000 streams constitute a paradise for aquatic sport of any 
sort. In other years the owner of a power driven yacht capable 
of negotiating port to port voyages along the Atlantic coast 
was at least a millionaire. Now any mechanic can own and 
drive a boat capable of running from Boston to Portland in 
perfect safety. The number of vacationists who pass their pe- 
riod of rest cruising along the Maine coast and up its navigable 
rivers is increasing by leaps and bounds. 

The summer steamboat service among the islands along the 
Maine coast is many times more extensive than it would be if 
there were no summer cottages or tourists. No other section 
of the Atlantic is so well served as to water traffic as is the 
coast of Maine from May until October. The most beautiful 
scenery in the world unfolds to the eye of the tourist on board 
these steamers, which go 60 miles into the interior of the State 
on the Penobscot, and nearly an equal distance on the Kennebec 
to Augusta. Summer sails among the islands of Casco, Penob- 
scot and Passamaquoddy Bay are a succession of delightful vis- 
tas without parallel anywhere else on earth. Small steamers 
also ply our larger lakes and afford hundreds of charming trips 
which vie with the best Switzerland boasts. Moosehead and 
Sebago are especially popular on this account. A river trip 
which is unique is that up the Songo from Sebago lake. Motor 
boats are more numerous on some of the lakes than row boats 
were a few years ago. 

As a hunter's paradise, Maine is pre-eminent on this conti- 
nent. The moose, deer, bear and other large game animals are 
numerous, but yet not so easily captured that the tang of the 
sport is lost. It is possible for the business man of New York 
to be in as good hunting ground as can be found anywhere, 
within 48 hours travel from his office. The Rangeley, Kineo 
and Aroostook lines carry the hunter into the heart of the big 
game country, in Pullman cars, if he cares to travel that way. 

Maine fishing lures the great anglers of the country to its 
lakes and streams every year. Wise protective laws prevent 
the fish from being exterminated, or their number from being 
appreciably reduced, so that the sport does not suffer as the 
number of anglers increases. Some of the finest cottages and 
camps in the State are occupied only during the best of the 




Power Plant at Ellsworth 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE 29 

fishing season. Hatcheries at strategic points keep the ponds 
well stocked with young fish, so that some of the lakes fished the 
most persistently continue to oflFer the best sport. Lake Auburn 
in Androscoggin county is an example of these conditions. 

The fish and game resources of the State are among the 
greatest assets, from the standpoint of the business man who 
caters to tourist guests. The visitors bent on sport are the first 
to come in spring, when the ice "goes out" of the lakes and the 
last to go in the fall, when the law closes the big game season. 
Within a few years experiments have been made in keeping 
''open house" at one or two of the hotels throughout the winter, 
in order that Maine's beautiful winter season may be enjoyed 
also. Snow shoeing, skiing, skating, sleighing, winter photo- 
graphy, etc., ofifer a continuous round of pleasures for those who 
tarry with us throughout the year. 



2P AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE, 



ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY. 

Formed from Cumberland, Oxford, Kennebec and Lincoln. 
Incorporated March i8, 1854. Contains 12 towns and 2 cities. 
AREA, 480 square miles. 
POPULATION, 1910, 59,822. 

POLLS, 1904, 14,945. 
ESTATES, 1904, $29,261,930. 

COUNTY SEAT, Aubum. 

LOCATION. Androscoggin County is in the south central part 
of the State. 

SURFACE. Quite a portion of the western part of the county 
is inclined to be hilly with fertile valleys between. In the 
central and eastern part of the county there is much level or 
rolling land. There are many intervale farms along the An- 
droscoggin River. 

SOIL. Mostly loam with clay in some parts. Nearly all the 
land has a clay subsoil. 

NUMBER of farms, 2,982. 

ASSESSED valuation, $4,266,754.44. 

AVERAGE number of acres tilled land per farm, 27. 

AVERAGE number acres under plow per farm, 5.6. 

GRAZING LAND. In the wcstcrn part of the county many 
good pastures are found. Land in the remainder of the county 
is valued very high and not so much is available for pasturing. 

SELLING VALUE OF FARM LANDS. The valuc of farm land 
has increased quite rapidly, — at least 25 per cent during the 
last few years. Farm lands, including a mixture of tillage 
land, pastures and timber land, could be purchased for from 
$20 to $30 per acre. In the central part of the county, near 
Auburn and Lewiston, good farm land in a fertile condition 
will sell for $50 to $100 per acre. 

CROPS. 

Potatoes. Total acreage, 3003. Average yield per acre, 158 
bu. Total yield in 1909, 474,831 bushels. There has been an 
mcreased acreage in the last few years. 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 3I 

Field Corn. Total acreage, 1145. Average yield per acre, 
46 bushels. Total yield in 1909, 53,086 bushels. The acreage 
of yellow corn seems to be increasing, the most of it going 
into the silo. 

Siveet Corn. Total acreage, 3150 acres. Average yield per 
acre, 2232 pounds. Total yield in 1909, 7,031,114 pounds. The 
raising of sweet corn in the past year has been one of the most 
important industries in the county. Good prices are paid and 
there is a good market in all parts of the county. One of the 
most encouraging things is that the acreage of corn planted 
for seed purposes is increasing quite rapidly. 

Oats. Total acreage, 4830. Average yield per acre, 32 
bushels. Total yield in 1909, 159,261 bushels. Very little 
of the oat crop grown in this section is threshed, as most of the 
oats are cut for hay. Interest in improving this crop through 
the securing of better seed is increasing. 

Hay. Total acreage, 62,117. Average yield per acre, .84 
tons. Total yield, 52,477 tons. 

Fruit. Many farmers are making a practice of setting out 
a few fruit trees each year. An increased interest is mani- 
fested in such ways as spraying, pruning and cultivating the 
orchards. 

miscellyvneous crops. 

Total acreage, 3741. Average value per acre, $26.18. Total 
Talue, $97,947. 

Beans. A few farmers are making a specialty of the bean 
crop. Androscoggin County ofifers as good opportunities for 
bean raising as any county in the State. 

Market Gardening. Considerable market gardening is done 
by a few farmers living near Lewiston and Auburn and they 
dispose of their products in these cities. 

Barley. Very little barley is raised and that by the dairy- 
men. 

LIVE STOCK. 

Cattle. Androscoggin County is one of the best counties 
for dairying to be found in the State. Some of the largest 
creameries in the State are located in Androscoggin County, 
and the cities of Auburn and Lewiston offer exceptionally good 
markets for a milk trade. 



32 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF . MAINE. 

Horses. Nearly all of the draft horses used in the county 
are purchased from the West. However, there is an increas- 
ing interest taken in the raising of horses and a few thorough- 
bred stallions are owned by the farmers. 

Sheep. Hardly any sheep are kept except in the western 
part of the county where are found a few small flocks of sheep. 
In the central part of the county the high price of farm land 
prohibits its use for pasture purposes. 

Swine. This county offers good opportunities for swine 
raising, as an auxiliary to other farming. The markets are 
as good as in any other county in the State. 

Poultry. Considerable interest is taken in poultry raising. 
Quite a number of farmers are making a specialty of this in- 
dustry and find it to be one of the most profitable branches 
of farming. 

FARM HELP. The number of farm laborers required dur- 
ing the summer months is 441. The wages for the year range 
from $20. to $24., according to the quality of the help. During 
the summer months the wages for a good man would be $25. 
to $26. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

Total number of creameries 6 

Total number of cheese factories i 

Total number of canning factories 8 

MARKETS. Markets for dairy products, as well as for all 
kinds of farm produce, are especially good. The cities of Au- 
burn and Lewiston make a very good home market, and An- 
droscoggin is one of the best located counties in the state for 
outside markets. 

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. There are six Agricultural So- 
cieties. 

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. Transportation facilities are 
of such a nature as to be of great assistance to the farmers. 
The Maine Central Railroad crosses the county in two places, 
and the Lewiston. Augusta and Waterville Street Railway also 
intersects it. 

SCHOOLS. 

Total number of common schools 174 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 33 

Total number of high schools 7 

Leavitt InstJtute, Turner Center, 
CHURCHES. Total number of churces, 75 ; Methodist Epis- 
copal, 15; Baptist, 12; Free Baptist, 10; Congregational, 
10; Universalist, 9; Roman Catholic, 9; Adventist, 4; Episcopal, 
3; Friends, 2; Seventh Day Adventist, i. 

BANKS. 

National Banks 4 

Savings Banks 4 

Trust Companies 2 

Loan and Building Associations 3 

GENERAL. There is no county in the state that is better 
served with rural free deliveries and telephones than Andros- 
coggin. Although it is a small county it contains two large 
cities which are rapidly increasing in population. There are 
four mutual fire insurance companies in the county which in- 
sure farm property. The county has two general hospitals, 
a girls' orphanage at Lewiston, and the Healey Asylum for 
Boys, at Lewiston. 

The excellent home markets ofifered by the cities of Auburn 
and Lewiston are an especial inducement for market garden- 
ing and general farming. To those who desire to ship farm 
products out of the state, excellent railroad service is offered 
by fast freights to Portland and Boston. 

Bates College, in Androscoggin County, is located at Lew- 
iston. 



AROOSTOOK COUNTY. 

Aroostook County was incorporated March i6th, 1839, ^^^'^" 
ing been originally a part of Penobscot and Washington Coun- 
ties. On March 21st, 1843, it was enlarged by additions from 
Penobscot, and again on March 12th, 1844, by additions from 
Piscataquis and Somerset Counties. There are 43 towns and 
villages in Aroostook County. 

AREA^ 6,408 square miles. 

POPULATION, I9IO, 74,664. 
POLLS, 1904, 15,071. 
ESTATES, 1904, $23,598,602. 
3 



34 AGRICULTURAL STATLSTICS OF MAINE. 

COUNTY SEAT, Houlton. 

LOCATION. Northern part of State. 

SURFACE. Rolling, and in the northern and western parts 
comparatively hilly. 

SOIL. Composed for the most part of gravelly loam, and 
in some places a light clay, with a limestone subsoil extending 
over quite a portion of the farm lands of the county. In some 
places a dark clay with a limestone subsoil is found. 

NUMBER of farms, 6,758. 

ASSESSED valuation, $8,697,251. 

AVERAGE number acres tilled land per farm, 54. 

AVERAGE number acres under plow per farm, 24.7. 

GRAZING LAND. On accouut of the high value of farm lands 
for potato raising, very little land, comparatively, is devoted 
to grazing purpos(?s. The grazing land consists mostly of land 
that has recently had the timber cut off and is in the process 
of being cleared. 

SELLING VALUE OF FARM LANDS. Farms locatcd within a mile 
of any of the large, prosperous towns have a selling value 
ranging from $100. to $150. per acre; at a distance of three 
miles from town the selling prices range from $75. to $100. 
per acre. These prices vary somewhat according to the char- 
acter and fertility of the soil and the value of the farm build- 
ings. 

CROPS. 

Potatoes. Total acreage, 95,647. Average >ield pcv acre. 
252 bushels. Total yield, 24,153,699 bushels. 

Oats. Total acreage, 78,509. Average yield per acre, 39 
bu. Total yield, 3,102,916 bushels. 

Wheat. Total acreage, 5,067. Average yield per acre, 26 
bu. Total yield, 133,482 bushels. 

Hay. Total acreage, 195,847. Average yield per acre, .96 
tons. Total yield, 188,950 tons. 

MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. 

Total acreage, 12,941 acres. Average value per acre, $13.61. 
Total value, $176,231.47. 

Barley. Barley is being raised in considerable quantities in 
some sections of the county, with an average yield of from 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 35 

28 to 30 bushels per acre. The soil is particularly well adapted 
to this crop. 

Corn. Corn is only grown for ensilage purposes and that 
in a limited area, principally in the southern part of the county. 

Roots. Only a small number of farmers are growing roots 
of any kind. 

Fruit. Interest in the fruit business is on the increase and 
many orchards are being established. 

LIVE STOCK. 

In general the farmers of the county pay but little attention 
to the raising of live stock, although Aroostook County com- 
pares quite favorably with other counties in the State in the 
number of animals owned, and more interest has been shown 
during the past few years than ever before. 

Cattle. Although only a few cattle are kept by each farm- 
er, there are quite a number of excellent herds of pure bred 
cattle owned in the county. The Jersey, Holstein and Short- 
liom breeds predominate. 

Horses. While a larger number of pure bred stallions of 
the draft horse breed are owned in Aroostook County, per- 
haps, than in any other county in the State, yet it seems that 
more attention could be given by the farmers to the breeding 
of draft horses. At least three-fourths of the draft horses 
used in the county are purchased from the West. The explana- 
tion for this seems to be that farmers have given so little atten- 
tion to the raising of horses, that the young colts were not given 
proper exercise and care, the result being that they very rarely 
made large and satisfactory horses. :Vmong the breeds of 
draft horses in this country there are splendid representatives 
ft the Percheron, Clyde and Suffolk. 

S'zmne. The farmers of the county are becoming actively 
interested in the growing of swine, and many of them are pur- 
chasing pure bred foundation stock. 

Sheep. Very few farmers, comparatively, are keeping sheep. 
This is accounted for by Aroostook County farmers in that 
they could not afford to keep sheep and graze them on land 
that would bring them $15. per acre. 

Poultry. Poultry raising as a business has received but 
very little attention up to the present time. The percentage 



36 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

of farmers interested in this industry is increasing to a con- 
siderable extent. 

FARM HELP. Farm help can easily be secured in sufficient 
quantities to satisfy the demands of the county. At the present 
time 8,144 farm laborers are required on the farms of Aroos- 
took County during the summer months. Wages for the sum- 
mer months average about $30. while for the full year the 
average price paid is $24. to $26. a month. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

Starch Factories. Total number, sixty. 

Creameries. There are two creameries located in the county, 
one at Houlton and another at New Sweden. 

Cheese Factories. Only one cheese factory is operated in 
the County. 

MARKETS. So far as markets for potatoes are concerned, 
which constitute the principal need of the county, the farmers 
as a rule are well served, there being a large number of potato 
houses located along the lines of the Bangor & Aroostook and 
Canadian Pacific Railroads. These potato houses are operated 
by firms and companies who are engaged in the business of 
purchasing and selling potatoes. Markets for dairy products 
have received but little attention on account of the lack of in- 
terest taken in dairying by the farmers during previous years. 
The addition of two sweet cream factories in the county will 
undoubtedly have a tendency to improve the markets for dairy 
butter. Prices for dairy butter during the past year have aver- 
aged 27c. per pound ; during the summer months the prices 
have ranged from 20c. to 25c. and during the winter months 
from 30c. to 40c. 

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. There is but one agricultural so- 
ciety in Aroostook County — the Northern Maine Fair Associa- 
tion. The annual fair is usually held in Presque Isle. 

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 

Railroads. The following railroads are operating in the 
county : Bangor 81 Aroostook and the Canadian Pacific ; also 
the Aroostook Valley R. R. Co. operates an electric line from 
Presque Isle to Washburn. 




\x 












\^.'i 

'■L^. 





vV"<.(^j' ; '/■■ 



Wheat Fiukl of (i. li. Cook, Mapletoii 



^^ 




Wheat Field of G. B. Cook 
(Another \'ie\v) 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 37 



SCHOOLS. 

Total number of common schools 497 

Total number of schools in farming communities . 442 

Total number of free high schools 12 

Aroostook Central Institute, Mars Hill. 

Ricker Classical Institute, Houlton. 

Bridgewater Classical Academy, Bridgewater. 

Madawaska Training School, Fort Kent. 
CHURCHES. Total number of churches, 134; Methodist 
Episcopal, 24; Baptist, 19; Free Baptist, 30; Roman Cath- 
olic, 18; Congregational, 11; Episcopal, 10; Adventist, 6; 
Christian, 5; Presbyterian, 4; Seventh Day Adventist, 2; 
Friends, i ; Universatlist, i ; Unitarian, 3. 

BANKS. 

National Banks 5 

Savings Banks i 

Trust Companies 6 

GENERAL. The farmers of the county are well served by 
the rural free deliveries and telephones which extend through 
nearly all of the farming districts. About all of the progres- 
sive farmers are supplied with telephones. 

Roller process flour mills are located at Presque Isle, Fort 
Fairfield, Washburn, Caribou and Houlton. Markets for dairy 
products are excellent. There are two hospitals in Aroostook 
County, one at Frenchville and the other at Eagle Lake Mills. 
There are two mutUc< fire insurance companies in the county 
that insure farm property. In this county is a State Normal 
School, at Presque Isle, and St. Mary's College, at Van Buren. 



CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 

Cumberland County originally embraced Androscoggin, 
Franklin and parts of Oxford, Kenne1>ec and Somerset Coun- 
ties. Incorporated in 1760. There are twenty-three towns 
and three cities. 

AREA, 1,014 square miles. 

POPULATION, 1910, 112,014. 

POLLS, 1904, 29,303. 



38 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

ESTATES, 1904, $78,581,444. 

COUNTY SEAT^ Portland, in the eastern part of the county, 
on the Atlantic Coast. 

LOCATION. Southern part of State, on the coast. 

SURFACE. Comparatively level land along the coast; roll- 
ing and somewhat hilly toward the western and northwestern 
parts. 

SOIL. A great variety of soil is found in the county, the 
majority being loam and clay loam. In some of the ravines 
and near the coast a sandy loam is found. 

NUMBER of farms, 5,205. 

ASSESSED valuation, $7,607,739. 

AVERAGE number acres tilled land per farm, 32. 

AVERAGE number acres under plow per farm, 4.8. 

GRAZING LAND. This county affords excellent opportunities 
for grazing and could easily be made to accommodate many 
more animals than it does at present. The value of farm land 
being comparatively low at a distance of six or eight miles 
from the village centers, there are excellent opportunities for 
grazing sheep and young stock. 

SELLING VALUE OF FARM LANDS. Good tillage land near the 
city of Portland is valued at about $100. per acre ; back in 
the small towns, two or three miles from the railroad stations, 
it is worth about $50. per acre ; four miles from the stations, 
$40. The value of different farms depends largely upon the 
location, fertility of the soil, the buildings and the amount of 
lumber. 

CROPS. 

Potatoes. Acreage, 6217 acres, Average yield per acre, 145 
bu. Total yield, 1909, 902,405 bu. There has been a decided 
increase in the raising of potatoes in Cumberland County with- 
in the last few years. In the vicinity of Brunswick, many 
farmers are raising from six to ten acres each year. In the 
vicinity of Portland and along the coast only a sufficient acre- 
age is raised for family use, and in some cases to supply the 
summer resorts. 

Field Corn. Total acreage, 3,202 acres. Average yield per 
acre, 47 bu. Total yield, 1909, 153,423 bu. Considerable en- 
silage corn is raised in the southern part of the county, but 
not as much as formerly, this being replaced by common yel- 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 39 

low flint corn. The land and climate in this county are well 
adapted to corn raising. 

Sweet Corn. Total acreage, 4,107 acres. Average yield per 
acre, 2.421 lbs. Total yield, 1909, 9,943,753 lbs. 

Oats. Total acreage, 9,037 acres. Average yield per acre, 
35 bu. Total yield, 1909, 323,216 bu. About 60 per cent of the 
oats raised are cut for fodder and the remainder threshed. 
This crop is used for seeding down. 

Hay. Total acreage in 1909, 131,629 acres; average per 
acre, .86 tons; total yield, 114,233 tons. The greater part of 
the tillage land of the farms is devoted to the raising of hay, 
and on account of a continuous hay crop being cut on the 
land for a long term of years, it seems that here is an excellent 
opportunity to increase the productiveness of the land by prac- 
ticing a short rotation and keeping more stock. 

/ 

MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. 

Total number of acres, 5,723 ; average per acre, $34.70. Value 
of miscellaneous crops in 1909, $198,646. The greatest part of 
the miscellaneous crops of Cumberland County consists of mar- 
ket garden crops raised to supply the summer resort and city 
markets. Many farmers are making a specialty of this line of 
farming. 

Barley. Comparatively little barley is raised, and this is 
used mostly as a soiling crop. 

Winter Rye. This is raised by some farmers and is used 
for soiling purposes as well as a cover crop. 

LIVE STOCK. 

The live stock in Cumberland County consists mostly of horses 
and cattle, with only a comparatively small number of sheep 
and swine. 

Cattle. This is one of the best dairy counties in the State 
and there seems to be an increasing interest in the breeding 
of pure blood stock. Many of the farmers have purchased 
pure bred sires and have started to grade up their herds. Ow- 
ing to the suriimer resorts and the excellent market Portland 
aflfords for riiilk, many large herds are found along the coast 
and in the vicinity of Portland. The majority of the animals 
consists of grade and pure blood Holsteins and Ayrshires ; the 



40 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

remainder being for the most part Jersey and Jersey grades. 

Horses. As practically all of the work is done at the pres- 
ent time with horses, in this county, there has been an increase 
in the number used. Most of the draft horses are brought into 
the county, but recently a number of pure bred Percheron sires 
have been introduced. 

Swine. Not nearly as many swine are kept as could be 
disposed of to advantage in the markets of Portland and near- 
by cities. N!ot more than three or four hogs are kept by each 
farmer. 

Sheep. Comparatively few sheep are kept and these only 
in small flocks. With a little repair work on the fences of the 
pastures, a great many more sheep could be kept without extra 
cost. 

Poultry. The best of opportunities are offered for poultry 
raising and within the last year or two there has been jtti in- 
crease in the interest taken in this business. A few farmers 
are making a speciatly of poultry raising, and find it very 
profitable as the summer resorts furnish an excellent maiicet 
during the summer season. 

FARM HELP. At the present time, 595 laborers are required 
on the farms in Cumberland County. Farm help is somewhat 
scarce and this is probably due to the fact that more wages 
are paid by the manufacturers than by the farmers. The arer- 
age wages paid for farm help range from $26. to $30. per 
month. 



MANUFACTORIES. 

Creameries. The creameries in Cumberland County are as 
follows : 

Portland Creamery Company, Bridgton. 
Portland Creamery Company, Portland. 
Windemere Creamery, North Gorham. 
Canneries. Total number, 13. 

MARKETS. There are no better markets found in any county 
in the State than those of Cumberland County. The demand 
for farm products seems to exceed the supply at all times of 
the year. The summer resorts oft'er an excellent market for 
market garden products and high prices are paid. 
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. Total number, 7. 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 4I 

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 

Railroads. The following roads are operating in the county : 
Maine Central Railroad, Boston & Maine Railroad, Grand 
Trunk Railway, and Portland (Electric) Railroad Company. 

Steamboat Lines. Portland & Boothbay Steamboat Com- 
pany, Casco Bay & Harpswell Steamboat Company. There 
are also other steamboat lines running direct to Boston and 
New York, over which a large amount of freight is handled. 

SCHOOLS. Common Schools, 300 ; High Schools, 14 ; 
Bridgton Academy, Greeley Institute, North Yarmouth Acad- 
emy, Pennell Institute, St. Joseph's Academy and Westbrook 
Seminary. 

CHURCHES. Total number of churches, 152. Congregation- 
al, 42; Methodist Episcopal, 30; UniversaHst, 13; Baptist, 
11; Free Baptist, 16; Roman CathoHc, 9; Adventist, 8; 
Episcopal, 5, and 2 summer chapels ; Seventh Day Adventist, 
5 ; Unitarian, 5 ; Friends, 4 ; New Jerusalem, i ; Presby- 
terian, I. 

BANKS. 

National Banks 10 

Savings Banks 6 

Trust Companies 6 

Loan & Building Associations 9 

GENERAL. Cumberland County has many special advantages, 
such as excellent services to the rural communities by rural 
free deliveries and telephones. There are eight hospitals lo- 
cated in the county and fifteen mutual fire insurance companies 
insuring farm property. The three cities of Portland, South 
Portland and Westbrook are growing rapidly and furnish an 
excellent home market for farm products. There are many 
summer resorts along the coast which help to make this county 
one of the best opportunities for market gardening in the 
State. Railroads give excellent service between Portland and 
Boston and many fast trains enable the farmers to ship such 
products as milk and cream to the Boston markets. 

There are one college and one normal school in Cumberland 
County, as follows : Bowdoin College, Brunswick, and Gor- 
ham State Normal School, Gorham. 



42 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 

Franklin County was incorporated March 20, 1838. Con- 
tains 19 towns. 

AREA, 1764 square miles. 
POPULATION, 1910, 19,119. 

POLLS, 1904, 5631. 
ESTATES, 1904, $10,330,576. 

COUNTY SEAT, Farmington. 

LOCATION. Franklin County is located in the western part 
of the State. 

SURFACE. Rough, uneven and diversified. Much of the land 
is wooded. 

SOIL. Loam and gravelly loam on the ridges and some sandy 
loam in the river valleys. 

NUMBER of farms, 2346. 

ASSESSED valuation, $2,453,213. 

AVERAGE number acres tilled land per farm, 36. 

AVERAGE number acres under plow per farm, 5.7. 

GRAZING LAND. The grazing opportunities of the county 
offer pasture for very much more live stock than it has at 
the present time. The rough hills are particularly well adapted 
to grazing, and the difficulty with which they are cultivated 
makes them valuable for this purpose. 

SELLING VALUE OF FARM LANDS. Tillage land in good fer- 
tility, two miles from a village and railroad station, is valued 
at about $60. per acre. Four miles away, $40 per acre. The 
value of tillage land varies considerably with the location, fer- 
tility of soil, lumber and kind of buildings foimd on the farm. 

CROPS. 

Potatoes. Total acreage, 2788 acres. Average yield per 
acre, 195 bushels. Total yield, 1909, 544,122 bushels. The 
acreage of potatoes raised by each farmer is comparatively 
small. However, markets for potatoes are very good and the 
interest taken in potato raising seems to be on the increase. 

Field Corn. Total acreage. 1137 acres. Average yield per 
acre, 51 bushels. Total yield, 1909, 58,261 bushels. There 
seems to be a decided increase in the interest taken in rais- 
ing yellow corn, and it is used quite extensively for ensilage. 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 43 

Szveet Corn. Total acreage, 2 121 acres. Average yield per 
acre, 2266 pounds. Total yield, 1909, 4,807,627 pounds. This 
is one of the most important crops raised by farmers in Frank- 
lin County. Canning factories are found in nearly every small 
town and a good price is paid for the sweet corn. 

Oats. Total acreage, 5324 acres. Average yield per acre, 33 
bushels. Total yield, 1909, 175,752 bushels. More oats are 
raised than any other soiHng crop and are used by about all 
the farmers for seeding down. About 60 per cent of the oat 
crop is cut green for fodder and the rest is threshed. 

Hay. Acreage, 70,532 acres. Average yield per acre .83 
tons. Total yield, 59,055 tons. As Franklin County is one of 
the best dairy counties in the State, considerable farm land is 
devoted to raising hay. The yield could be increased easily, if a 
shorter rotation were practiced. 

Fruit. Some of the finest orchards in the State are found 
in Franklin County. Hills and gravelly loam seem especially 
well adapted to orcharding. During the past few years there 
has been an increased interest taken, as shown by the better 
care and management. Quite a number of young orchards 
are found which have just come into bearing. 

MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. 

Number of acres, 1880. Value per acre, $29.87. Total value, 
$56,162. 

Barley. Barley is being raised in some sections of Maine 
both as a cover crop and for soiling purposes. 

Winter Rye. Winter rye is receiving about the same atten- 
tion as barley and is. raised for similar purposes. 

Buckwheat. Buckwheat is being raised to a small extent 
and is fed to hens. 

Roots. A small number of farmers are growing roots which 
are used to feed cattle. 

LIVE STOCK. 

In general the farmers of Franklin County show considerable 
interest in the live stock industry. This county stands among 
the best in sheep and cattle. 

Cattle. There seems to be an increasing interest in dairy- 
ing and there are more pure bred sires being kept than ever 
before. Although some oxen are found, the. interest in this 



44 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

branch of animal industry seems to be decreasing and more 
dairy animals are being kept. 

Horses. There is not much interest in breeding horses at 
the present time. However, there are a number of thorough- 
bred stallions found in the county. Nearly all the horses used 
are brought into the county at very high prices. 

Swine. Nearly all of the farmers are interested in the rais- 
ing of swine and from two to eight hogs are found on almost 
€very farm. 

Sheep. There seems to be considerable interest in the rais- 
ing of sheep, but only a comparatively small number are kept 
by each farmer. Many more sheep could easily be kept if the 
fences of the pastures were re-built. 

Poultry. Poultry raising seems to be a business that is re- 
ceiving but little attention at the present time. However, there 
are a few farmers who are making a specialty of this line. 

FARM HELP. At the present time, 341 farm laborers are re- 
quired during the summer months. The average wages per 
month are $23. to $25. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

Corn Canning Factories. Total number, 6. 

Creameries. There is but one creamery in Franklin County. 
This is owned by the Turner Center Dairying Association, and 
is located in Farmington. 

Miscellaneous canning factories. There are located in the 
county several other factories which make a specialty of can- 
ning different farm products. 

MARKETS. A sufficient number of corn canning factories 
is found in the county to furnish a good market for sweet 
corn. Orcharding and potato raising seem to be among the 
most important lines of farming and good markets are also of- 
fered for these products. 

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. There are two agricultural so- 
cieties located in Franklin County; Franklin County Agricul- 
tural Society, Farmington, and North Franklin Agricultural 
Society, Phillips. 

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 

Railroads. The following railroads are operated in the 
county ; Maine Central and Sandy River Railroads. 



AGRICULTUR.\L STATISTICS OF MAINE. 45 

SCHOOLS. 

Total number of common schools in farming 

communities 143 

Total number of High Schools 1 1 

Wilton Academy, Wilton. 
CHURCHES. Total number of churches, 45 ; Methodist 
Episcopal, 12; Congregational, 10; Universalist, 3; Roman 
Catholic, 3 ; Baptist, 2 ; Free Baptist, 13 ; Adventist, i ; Uni- 
tarian, I. 

BANKS. 

National Banks 3 

Savings Banks 3 

Trust Companies 2 

General. Nearly all of the farming communities in Frank- 
lin County are reached by rural free deliveries and telephones. 
There are three mutual fire insurance companies in the county 
that insure farm property. The Farmington State Normal 
School is located in Franklin County at Farmington. 

Markets for dairy products, and for farm produce such as 
apples, potatoes, etc., are very good. Franklin County seems 
particularly well adapted to the dairy business and to orchard- 
ing. 

HANCOCK COUNTY. 
Incorporated June 25, 1789. Portions taken in 1816 to form 
Penobscot, and in 1827, to form Waldo. 
AREA, 1,390 square miles. 

POPULATION, 19 10, 35,575. 
POLLS, 1904, 11,281. 
ESTATES, 1904, $17,276,633. 
COUNTY SEAT, EllsWOrth. 

LOCATION. Eastern part of the State. 

SURFACE. Rough, hilly and diversified. In the northern 
and central parts of the county the land is well wooded and the 
farms have a comparatively small acreage of tillage land. In 
the southern part some good farm land is found. 

SOIL. The soil for the most part is gravelly loam on the 
ridges, and sandy and clay loam in the southern part of the 
countv. 



46 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

NUMBER of farms, 2,972. 

ASSESSED valuation, $2,020,624. 

AVERAGE number acres tilled land per farm, 16. 

AVEiL\GE number acres under plow per farm, 2.2. 

GRAZING LAND. Mucli more live stock could easily be ac- 
commodated in the pastures of Hancock County than are kept 
at the present time. Owing to the fact that farm land is com- 
paratively low, much of it could be profitably devoted to graz- 
ing- 

SELLING VALUE OF FARM LANDS. Prices vary in different 
sections of the county, the land in the southern part being 
somewhat higher than that in the northern and central por- 
tions. Two miles from railroad station good tillage land can 
be purchased for from $25. to $50. per acre, while at a dis- 
tance of four miles it is valued at from $15. to $30. per acre. 

CROPS. 

Potatoes. Total acreage, 2478. Average yield per acre, 203 
bushels. Total yield, 504,685 bushels. This is one of the most 
important crops raised in Hancock County. The soil is well 
adapted to this crop and, although the fields are comparatively 
small, a fairly good production per acre is obtained. This 
could undoubtedly be increased if a shorter rotation and better 
methods were practiced. 

Field Corn. Total acreage, 50 acres. Average yield per 
acre, 57 bushels. Total yield. 2,885 bushels. Only a few acres 
of field corn are grown in the county on account of the short 
seasons. There are some varieties of flint corn that could be 
matured in this county if more interest was taken in the crop. 

Oats. Total acreage, 2,228 acres. Average yield per acre, 
35 bushels. Total yield, 79.170 bushels. This is the most 
important grain crop raised in the county. There is not much 
interest taken in improving the oat seed, and undoubtedly the 
yield per acre could be increased considerably if better methods 
were practiced. The majority of the oats are threshed, the 
remainder being cut green for hay. 

Hay. Total acreage, 39,606 acres. Average yield per acre, 
.78 tons. Total yield, 31,082. It will be seen that about 82% 
of the tilled land in Hancock County is producing hay. The 
yield would undoubtedly be much greater if more of the land 
was cultivated. 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 47 

MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. 

Total acreage, 1,418 acres. Value per acre, '^'j.y6. Total 
value, $96,092. 

Sweet Corn. Only a very few acres of sweet corn are raised 
as there is some difficulty in maturing the corn. 

Market Gardening. Considerable market gardening is done 
in the southern part of the county and the products are dis- 
posed of in the cities and at the summer resorts. No county 
has better summer resort markets than Hancock County. 

Fruit. Although the land in some parts of Hancock County 
is well adapted to fruit raising, there are comparatively few 
orchards and these have been somewhat neglected. 

LIVE STOCK. 

Cattle. There does not seem to be much interest in im- 
proving dairy cattle in Hancock County. Only small herds 
arc kept by the farmers. There is an excellent market for 
dairy products and opportunities are good for keeping more 
cows. 

Horses. There has been an increase in the number of horses 
used in the county. This demand has been supplied for the 
most part by western horses. 

Su-ine. Although the markets are good for this product, 
only very little interest is taken in swine raising. 

Sheep. There has been an increasing interest in sheep rais- 
ing- for the past few years, although at the present time sheep 
are kept only in small flocks. The markets are good. 

Poultry. Considerable interest is taken in poultry raising 
and there are at the present time a few speciaHsts in this busi- 
ness. The conditions of Hancock County are exceptionally 
good, and the summer resorts furnish excellent home markets. 

FARM HELP. Opportunities are offered for 112 farm laborers 
in this county. The average wages per month are from $28 
ta $30. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

Total number of creameries 3 

Total number of cheese factories i 

MARKETS. Excellent markets are afforded for all kinds of 
farm products and the demand is much greater than the supply. 



48 AGRICULTUKAI. STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

There are sufficient creameries to handle all of the dairy pro- 
ducts produced in the county. 

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. Total number, 4. 

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 

Railroads. The county is crossed in two places by the Maine 
Central Railroad. 

Steamboat Lines. Numerous steamboat lines handle a large 
amount of freight during the summer months. 

SCHOOLS. 

Total number common schools 261 

Total number schools in farming communities. . 181 

Total number High Schools 11 

East Maine Conference Seminary, Bucksport. 
George Stevens Academy, Bluehill. 
CHURCHES. Total number, 54; Methodist Episcopal. 13; 
Congregational, 12; Baptist, 8; Free Baptist, 9: Roman 
Catholic, 4; Universalist, 3 ; Friends, 2 ; Unitarian, i ; Epis- 
copal, I and I summer chapel. 

BANKS. 

National Banks •. 3 

Savings Banks 3 

Trust Companies 2 

Building & Loan Associations 3 

GENERAL. The rural communities receive excellent rural free 
delivery and telephone service. No county in the State has bet- 
ter home markets, during the summer months, than Hancock 
County, as some of the most popular summer resorts in the 
country are located on the coast, among them being Bar Harbor 
and Mt. Desert. There is good railroad service, and during 
the summer months daily boats run to Portland and Boston. 

There is one hospital in Hancock County, The Bar Harbor 
Medical S: Surgical Hospital. 



KENNEBEC COUNTY. 
Kennebec County was incorporated the sixth county on Feb- 
ruary 20, 1799. Contains twenty-five towns and four cities. 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 49 

AREA, 880 square miles. 

POPULATION, I9IO, 62,863. 
POLLS, 1904, 16,646. 
ESTATES, 1904, $31,536,707. 
COUNTY SEAT, AugUSta. • 

LOCATION, central part of the state. 

SURFACE. Rolling and somewhat hilly. Some excellent fields 
are found along the Kennebec River. 

SOIL. Nearly all kinds of soil can be found in different parts 
of the county. On the ridges a gravelly loam is found, and in 
the river valley clay loam. 

NUMBER of farms, 5,104. 

ASSESSED valuation, $6,234,571. 

AVERAGE number acres tilled land per farm, 34. 

AVERAGE number acres under plow per farm, 8.4. 

GRAZING LAND. Excellent grazing land affords ample oppor- 
tunity for the live stock in the county. Owing to the high 
value of farm lands in this county grazing land is worth consid- 
erable for farming purposes. 

SELLING VALUE OF FARM LANDS. During the past few years 
there has been a decided increase in the value of farm lands in 
Kennebec county. Good tillage land located within two miles 
of a village or city is valued at $50 to $100 per acre. Land simi- 
lar to this at a distance of five miles is valued at $30 to $6o per 
acre. This value varies according to the kind of soil, its pro- 
ductiveness, nearness to rriarket, and kind of buildings located 
on the farm. 



CROPS. 

Potatoes. Total acreage, 9791. Average yield per acre, 178 
bu. Total yield, 1,749,169 bu. There has been a decided 
increase in the acreage of potatoes raised in this county. The 
soil seems particularly well adapted to this crop and there is 
an excellent home market besides good transportation to outside 
markets. 

Field Corn. Total acreage, 3661. Average yield per acre, 
48 bu. Total* yield, 177,967 bu. Within the past few years 
more attention has been paid to the growing of this crop. Many 
of the silos are being filled with a type of field corn that will 
mature in the county. 
4 



50 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

Szvcct Corn. Total number acres, 4444. Average yield per 
acre, 21 10 lbs. Total yield, 9.379,246 lbs. It will be seen that 
the acreage of sweet corn is slightly larger than that of field 
corn. The climatic conditions are favorable to the sweet com 
crop and there is a sufficient munber of canning factories to 
furnish a good market. 

Oats. Total number of acres, 16,058. Average yield per 
acre, 33 bu. Total yield, 534,409 bu. This is the most import- 
ant grain crop grown in the county and is used for seeding 
down. About forty per cent of the oats raised are cut for fod- 
der, and the remainder threshed. 

Hay. Total number of acres, 133,829. Average yield per 
acre, .88 tons. Total yield, 118,895 tons. The yield of hay per 
acre could undoubtedly be increased if a shorter rotation was 
practiced, as hay has been cut on many of these fields for a 
series of six to ten years. 

Fruit. There are many fine orchards in Kennebec County. 
Although some of these orchards have been neglected there 
seems to be at the present time an increased interest in fruit 
raising and more attention and better care are being given the 
trees. Some of the farmers living near tlie cities are doing con- 
siderable with small fruits. They find no difficulty in disposing 
of all they can raise at good prices. 

MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. 

Total acreage, 6317. Value per acre, $27.88. Total value, 

$i76,i3345- 

Market Gardening. This is undoubtedly the most important 
branch of miscellaneous crops in the county. As there are four 
cities in different parts of the county an excellent market is 
afforded for garden crops. 

Barley. More barley is being raised each year and is used 
as a soiling crop by many of the dairymen. 

Winter Rye. Winter rye is raised to some extent for a 
cover crop and for soiling purposes early in the spring. 

LIVE STOCK. 

Cattle. Kennebec County offers as good opportunities to the 
dairyman as any other county in the state. Numerous cream- 
eries are found and the cities afford a good market for milk. 
•More interest is being shown in pure bred stock and many of 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 5I 

the dairymen have purchased pure bred sires and are grading 
up their herds. There has been a decrease in the number of 
oxen and beef animals kept. 

Horses. There has been an increase in the number of draft 
horses used in the county and this demand has been met by 
buying horses direct from the West at high prices. More horses 
could profitably be raised upon the farms of Kennebec County. 

Swine. Although there are no men making a specialty of 
swine raising, nearly every farmer has from four to six hogs. 
There is an excellent home market for this product. 

Sheep. Not many sheep are kept. 

Poultry. A few farmers are making a specialty of poultry 
raising. More interest has been taken in the poultry business 
in the last year than formerly. An exceptionally good market is 
afforded by the cities in the county. 

• FARM HELP. The farms of Kennebec County afford opportu- 
nity for 221 farm laborers. Wages paid are good, ranging from 
$26 to $32 per month. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

Total number of creameries 2 

Total number of canning factories 7 

MARKETS. Excellent markets for all kinds of farm products 
are afforded the farmers of this county. Four cities located in 
different parts of the county handle a large amount of the pro- 
ducts raised upon the farms, and there is an excellent opportu- 
nity for market gardening and diversified farming. 
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. Total number, 2. 

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 

Railroads. The county is crossed in two places by the Maine 
Central Railroad and also by the Lewiston, Augusta and Water- 
ville Street Railway. 

SCHOOLS. 

Total number of common schools 265 

Total number of schools in farming communities 152 

Total number of high schools 12 

Total number of academies 3 

Coburn Classical Institute, Waterville. 



52 AGRICULTURx\L STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

Maine Wesleyan Seminary, Kents Hill. 

Oak Grove Seminary, Vassalboro. 
CHURCHES. Total number of churches, 121. Methodist Epis- 
copal, 27; Baptist, 20; Free Baptist, 12; Congregational, 14; 
Friends, 12; UniversaUst, 10; Roman Catholic, 9; Adventist, 6; 
Episcopal, 5; Christian, 3; Unitarian, 2; 7th Day Adventist, i. 

BANKS. 

National Banks 7 

Savings Banks 6 

Trust Companies 4 

Loan & Building Associations 4 

GENERAL. The farmers of Kennebec County are well served 
with rural free deliveries and telephones. Nearly every farming 
community in the county is reached. 

Among the special advantages of this county are the four" 
comparatively large cities which are located within its limits 
and furnish an excellent home market for all farm products. 
The rapid growth that these cities have shown in the past few 
years and the resulting increased value of farm lands go to 
show that Kennebec County stands among the best in the state. 

There are a sufficient number of mutual fire insurance com- 
panies that insure farm property to do all of the business 
required. 

Colby College is located in the City of Waterville. 



KNOX COUNTY. 

Formerly a part of Lincoln and Waldo. Incorporated in i860 
and named for General Henry Knox. Contains 15 towns and 
I city. 

AREA, 327 square miles. 

POPULATION, I9IO, 27,981. 
POLLS, 1904, 9,433. 
ESTATES, 1904, $14,774,795. 

COUNTY SEAT, Rockland. 

LOCATION. South central part of the State, on the coast. 
SURFACE. Hilly and somewhat broken. In the central part 
of the State is found some good farming land. 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 53 

SOIL. Clay and gravelly loam. 

NUMBER of farms, i,8i8. 

ASSESSED valuation, $1,869,448. 

AVERAGE number acres tilled land per farm, 24. 

AVERAGE number acres under plow per farm, 3.6. 

GRAZING LAND. Knox Couuty afifords good opportunities 
for grazing. In some parts of the county where the land is 
rough it can be profitably used as pasture land. Much more live 
stock could be accommodated than is kept at the present time. 

SELLING VALUE OF FARM LANDS. Although there has been an 
increase in the value of farm lands, many farms can yet be pur- 
chased at low prices. Good tillage land within two miles of the 
railroad station is valued at from $30 to $53 per acre ; at a dis- 
tance of 4 miles, $20 to $40 per acre. 

CROPS. 

Potatoes. Total acreage, 2386. Average yield per acre, 176 
bushels. Total yield, 420,718 bushels. There has been a 
decided increase in the acreage of potatoes raised in the county; 
much interest is taken in this crop and the markets are good. 

Field Corn. Total acreage, 682. Average yield per acre, 37 
bushels. Total yield, 25,755 bushels. Within the past few years 
many of the farmers have built silos and more interest is taken 
in corn raising. 

Sweet Corn. More interest is taken in raising sweet corn of 
late and this has become one of the most important cultivated 
crops of the county. 

Oats. Total acreage, 2214. Average yield per acre, 34 
bushels. Total yield, 75,980 bushels. Comparatively little inter- 
est is taken in improving the oat crop. This is one of the 
important crops of the county and is used for seeding down. 
Aboft 50% of the oats are cut for fodder and the remainder are 
threshed. 

Hay. Total acreage, 36,620. Average yield per acre, .83 
tons. Total yield, 30,546 tons. 

MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. 

Total acreage, 509. Average value per acre $60.10. Total 
value, $30,593.49- 

Fruit. Interest in fruit raising- is increasing. New orchards 



54 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OV MAINE. 

are being established and the old ones are being better cared for. 

Barley. Considerable barley is raised, and used as a cover 
crop and for soiling purposes. 

Roots. Some of the farmers who have no silos raise roots to 
feed to their animals during the winter months. 



LIVE STOCK. 

Cottle. Interest in breeding a good quality of cattle in the 
county is rapidly increasing. The herds are camparatively 
small at the present time. 

Horses. Although there has been an increase in tlie number 
of horses used during the past few years, there is but very little 
attempt made to breed draft horses. 

Seville. More swine are being raised and a few specialists 
are found. 

Sheep. M^ny of the farmers are keeping more sheep and 
find it to be a very profitable line of animal industry. The 
markets are good. 

Poultry. The poultry bus'ness is increasing quite rapidly and 
there are a few farmers making a specialty in this line. 

FARM HELP. There seems to be some difficulty in obtaining 
enough farm help in Knox County. This is unrlo'ibtedly 
accounted for by the low wages paid — from $22 to $28 per 
month, 

MANUFACTORIES. 

Total number of creameries 2 

Total number canning factories 2 

MARKETS. Some of the great advantages of Knox County are 
the good local markets for sweet corn, dairy products, small 
fruits and garden truck. 

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. Total number, i; North Knox 
Agricultural Society. 

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 

Railroads. The county is crossed by the Maine Central Rail- 
road. 

Steamboats. Much of the freight is handled over the steam- 
boat lines durinor the summer months. 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 55 

SCHOOLS. 

Total number of common schools 140 

Total number of schools in farming communities 92 

Total number of High Schools 10 

CHURCHES. Total number of churches, 55; Baptist, 17; Free 
Baptist, 3; Methodist Episcopal, 10; Congregational, 8; Univer- 
salist, 5 ; Adventist, 5 ; Episcopal, 4 ; Roman Catholic, 3. 

BANKS. 

National Banks 6 

Savings Banks 3 

Trust Companies 2 

Building & Loan Associations i 

GENERAL, Nearly every farming community in Knox County 
has good rural free delivery and telephone service. Excellent 
opportunities are offered in the home markets as a large num- 
ber of the farm products raised can be disposed of at the sum- 
mer resorts and in the city of Rockland. 

One of the great advantages of Knox County is the compara- 
tively low value of farm lands. 

There is one hospital in Knox County, the Knox County Gen- 
eral Hospital, situated at Rockland. 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 

Incorporated June 19, 1760. Parted with some of its terri- 
•tory to form Washington and Hancock Counties in 1789. Con- 
tains 17 towns. 

AREA, 520 square miles. 

POPULATION, 1910, 18,216. 

POLLS, 1904, 5,829. 
ESTATES, 1904, $7,518,209. 

COUNTY SEAT, Wiscassct. 

LOCATION, in the south central part of the State, on the coast. 

SURFACE, rolling and somewhat hilly. Much of the land is 
wooded and the fields in the northern part of the county are 
small. 

SOIL. Granite and feldspar formation, while on the ridges 
and hilly land considerable loam and gravelly loam can be found. 

NUMBER of farms, 2,919. 



56 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

ASSESSED valuation, $2,466,594. 

AVERAGE number acres tilled land per farm, 22. 

AVERAGE number acres under plow per farm, 3.1. 

GRAZING LAND. Owing to the fact that rough land is so 
cheap, there is considerable land in Lincoln County that could 
be profitably devoted to grazing, and with a little repair work 
done upon the fences of the pastures, much more live stock 
could be accommodated. 

SELLING VALUE OF FARM LANDS. Average tillage land is 
worth from $20 to $30 per acre. Illustration: A farm of 100 
acres with fairly good buildings, and an average amount of till- 
age, pasture and wood land, could be purchased for $1500. There 
are many abandoned farms that could be purchased at a low 
price. The hay grown yearly would pay six per cent interest on 
the investment without considering the wood and lumber avail- 
able for cutting, 

CROPS. 

Potatoes. Total acreage, 31 16. Average yield per acre, 181 
bushels. Total yield, 565,633 bushels. This is one of the most 
important cultivated crops raised in Lincoln County. More 
interest is being taken in this crop each year and one of the 
railroads crossing the county has built several potato houses in 
some of the villages. 

Field Corn. Total acreage, 1,011 acres. Average yield per 
acre, 44 bushels. Total yield, 44,639 bushels. The acreage of 
yellow corn is rapidly increasing and many of the farmers 
who have silos are using this for ensilage. 

Szveet Corn. Total acreage, 819 acres. Average yield per 
acre, 2 161 lbs. Total yield, 1,769,920 lbs. There is no can- 
ning factory located in the county, but many farmers in the 
northern part are raising sweet corn and shipping it to the 
factory located at Week's Mills in Kennebec County. Most 
of the farmers living near the coast raise a little sweet corn 
for table use and to supply the summer resorts. 

Oats. Total acreage, 3570. Average yield per acre, 31 
bu. Total yield, 111,007 ^u. Very little attempt has been made 
to secure improved seed. About 50% of the oat crop is cut 
green for hay and the remainder is threshed. 

Hay. Total acreage, 58,125 acres. Average yield per acre, 
.92 tons. Total yield, 53,747 tons. The yield per acre could 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 57 

easily be increased by practicing a shorter rotation of crops. 
Many fields in Lincoln County have been producing hay for 
from ten to twenty years without being plowed. 

Fruit. Although quite a large amount of apples is raised 
in the county, comparatively few of them are marketed as 
the trees are not cared for and the apples are often wormy, 
and unsalable on account of size. 

Small Fruits, such as strawberries, raspberries and black- 
berries are in good demand and bring fair prices. The lowest 
price for strawberries during the past season was I2j/^c., and 
for raspberries, 20c. per quart. 

MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. 

Total acreage, 1,349 acres. Value per acre, $31.75. Total 
value, $42,831.15. 

Barley. Only a small acreage of barley is raised and is 
used chiefly for feeding swine and poultry. 

Beans. There seems to be an increasing interest in rais- 
ing beans ; the acreage is small, yet every farmer raises some. 

LIVE STOCK. 

Cattle. Very little interest is taken in the breeding of cattle 
or of any kind of live stock ; however, some of the farmers 
are beginning to start dairy herds and the number of oxen 
and beef animals raised is decreasing. The market for dairy 
products is mostly a cream and butter market. 

Horses. But very little attention is given to breeding draft 
horses. Lincoln County affords as good opportunities for rais- 
ing draft horses as any other county in the State. Prices are 
very high. 

Sheep. Only a comparatively small number of sheep are 
kept by the average farmer. The pastures would easilv fur- 
nish feed for much more live stock than is pastured at the 
present time, and the sheep industry would be a profitable line 
of farming in this county. 

Swine. The interest in raising swine within the past year 
has increased ; however, there are no specialists who are mak- 
ing a business of swine raising. A few hogs are kept upon 
each farm and are disposed of in the local market. 

Poultry. Good sized flocks of poultry are kept by the farm- 
ers. Quite a number have from 200 to 6oo birds — some more 



58 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

than i,ooo. It is the experience of some of the Lincoln County 
farmers that this is a profitable business, in some cases giving 
an average of $i.oo per head in profits. The local market for 
poultry is good at top prices. 

FARM HELP. 350 farm laborers are employed on the farms 
in Lincoln County during the summer months. Wages are 
good, ranging from $25. to $30. per month, and there docs 
not seem to be the scarcity of farm help that is experienced 
in some of the other counties of the State. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

Total number of creameries 2 

MARKETS. Much better markets have been established dur- 
ing the past few years in Lincoln County than have formerly 
been afforded. Many potato houses have been built by the 
railroads in the small towns. As Lincoln County is one of 
the summer resort counties of the State, its home market is 
very good. 

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. Total number, 2. 

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 

Railroads. The county is crossed by the Wiscasset, Wa- 
terville & Farmington R. R. and the Maine Central Railroad. 

Steamboats. As Lincoln County is located on the coast, 
considerable freight is handled by the steamboat lines during 
the summer months. 

SCHOOLS. 

Total number of common schools 147 

Total number of schools in farming communi- 
ties 97 

Total number of High Schools 6 

Academies 3 

CHURCHES. Total number of Churches, 52; Methodist 
Episcopal, 15: Baptist, 12; Free Baptist, 6; Congregational, 
10: Episcopal, 3 and I summer chapel; Adventist, 3; Roman 
Catholic, 2. 

BANKS. 

Total number of National Banks 5 

Total number of Savings Banks 2 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 59 

Building & Loan Associations 2 

GENERAL. Nearly every farming community is reached by 
rural free deliveries arid telephones. There are seven mutual 
fire insurance companies in the county that insure farm prop- 
erty. 

One of the most important advantages of Lincoln County 
is the comparatively low value of farm lands. There are many 
farms that are producing comparatively little at the present 
time. These could be made to produce much more by prac- 
ticing a shorter rotation and better methods of farming. Many 
orchards could be made to pay double the amount of profit they 
do at the present time. 



OXFORD COUNTY. 

Oxford County was originally the northern part of York 
and Cumberland Counties. Incorporated the seventh county, 
March 4th, 1805. A large part of Franklin County was taken 
from Oxford County in 1838. Two towns, now in Andros- 
coggin County, were taken off in 1854. There are 35 towns 
in Oxford County. 

AREA, 1,581 square miles. 

POPULATION, 1910, 36,256. 

POLLS, 1904, 11,660. 
ESTATES, 1904, $16,177,450. 

COUNTY SEAT, Paris. 

LocvTiON. Sitrated in the southwestern part of the State, 
adjoining New Hampshire. 

SURFACE. Hilly and broken, with small fields, except in the 
Androscoggin Valley where many fine intervales are found. 

SOIL. The soil on the hills is a gravelly loam. In ihe valleys 
are found clay and sandy loam. 

NUMBER of farms, 4,005. 

ASSESSED valuation, $4,325,192. 

AVERAGE number acres tilled land per farm, 31. 

AVERAGE number acres under plow per farm, $.y. 

GRAZING LAND. The hills of Oxford County afford very fine 
opportunities for grazing, as many of the fields that are rough 
and rocky and cannot economically be used for raising farm 
crops, furnish excellent pasturage. 

SELLING VALUE OF FARM LANDS. During tlic past fcw ycars 



6o AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

there has been a decided increase in the value of farm lands 
in Oxford County. Good tillage land, located within 2 miles 
of a prosperous village is valued at $45. per acre. Land similar 
to this, at a distance of five miles from the railroad station, has 
a value of about $35. per acre. This value varies according 
to the kinds of soil and its productiveness, also the size of the 
orchards found upon the farms. 

CROPS. 

Potatoes. Total acreage, 4692. Average yield per acre, 
192 bushels. Total yield, 900,913 bushels. Some excellent po- 
tato land is found in the county but on account of the com- 
paratively small fields only a small acreage per farm is raised. 
On some of the farms located in the Androscoggin valley, po- 
tato raising is the most important industry, many farmers rais- 
ing from 8 to 25 acres. 

Field Corn. Total acreage, 2,427 acres. Average yield per 
acre, 53 bushels. Total yield, 129,601 bushels. More interest 
is being taken in raising field corn ; this corn is raised princi- 
pally for ensilage. 

Siveet Corn. Total acreage, 5,105 acres. Average yield per 
acre, 2307 lbs. Total yield, 11,782,239 lbs. It will be seen that 
sweet corn is one of the most important crops raised in Oxford 
County. The land is particularly adapted for it, and as good 
prices are paid at the canneries, this is one of the most profit- 
able crops. 

Oats. Total acreage, 8,284 acres. Average yield per acre, 
36 bushels. Total yield, 301,929 bushels. The oat crop is used 
by most of the farmers to seed down. There is an increased 
interest in the raising of oats and this is undoubtedly on ac- 
count of the high price the farmers have been paying for grain. 
About 50% are cut for fodder and the remainder are threshed. 

Hay. Total acreage, 101,867 acres. Average yield per acre, 
.98 tons. Total yield, 100,200 tons. 

Fruit. No county in the State excels Oxford County in 
fruit raising. Good orchards are located upon most of the 
farms, and although some of these seem to have been neglected, 
better care is being given the trees at the persent time. 

MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. 

Total acreage, 3,254 acres. Value per acre, $29.99. Total 
value, $97,606.60. 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 6l 

Winter Rye. Many of the dairymen in Oxford County sow 
winter rye in the fall, using it as a cover crop and for soiling 
purposes in the spring. 

Wheat. Some wheat is raised in the western part of the 
county by farmers making a specialty of poultry raising. 

Barley. About the same acreage of barley is raised as wheat, 
and it is used for the same purposes. 

Roots. Only a comparatively small amount of roots is raised, 
and this by dairymen and poultrymen. 

Beans. This is one of the most important crops grown in 
Oxford County. A few farmers are making a specialty of this 
line of farming, and the land seems to be particularly well 
adapted to bean growing. 

LIVE STOCK. 

Cattle. Although the number of dairy cattle kept by the 
farmers has decreased some in the last two years, more interest 
is being taken in keeping pure bred animals. This county 
is one of the best dairy counties in the State, and some excellent 
herds of Jersey, Jersey Grades, Holstein, Guernsey and Ayr- 
shire breeds are found. The number of beef cattle and oxen 
is decreasing and they are being replaced by dairy animals. 

Horses. About all of the draft horses used have been pur- 
chased from the West. More interest, however, is being taken 
in the raising of draft horses, and there are several pure bred 
Percheron stallions in tlTC county. 

Sheep. The excellent grazing opportunities of the county 
ofifer a good inducement for sheep raising. At the present 
time only a few sheep are kept by each farmer. There is no 
county in the State better adapted, to sheep raising and as the 
markets are good it could be made one of the most profitable 
industries of Oxford County. 

Simne. Considerable interest is taken in swine raising, and 
it is a profitable auxiliary to the dairy business. Each farmer 
keeps from 3 to 8 hogs. 

Poultry. Quite a number of farmers are making a specialty 
of poultry raising. There are also a few co-operative associa- 
tions which assist in marketing the products ; on account of 
the nearness to markets, good prices are received all the year. 

F'^RM HELP. At the present time 550 laborers are required 
on the farms in Oxford County. Good wages are paid farm 



62 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

help and there does not seem to be the scarcity that is found 
in some other parts of the State. Wages range from $28. to 
^^2. per month, 

MANUFACTORIES. 

Total number of creameries 4 

Total number of canning factories 13 

MARKETS. Excellent markets for all kinds of farm products 
are afiforded the farmers of this county. There are sufficient 
creameries to handle all of the dairy products, and buyers of 
apples and other produce are numerous. 
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. Total number, 5. 

SCHOOLS. 

Total number of common schools 275 

Total number of schools in farming communities 177 

Total number of High Schools 4 

Fryeburg Academy, Fryeburg. 
Gould's Academy, Bethel. 
Hebron Academy, Hebron. 
CHURCHES. Total number of churches, 100; Congrega- 
tional, 21; Methodist Episcopal, 20; Universalist, 20; Bap- 
tist, 18; Free Baptist, 9; Adventist, 4; Roman Catholic. 3; 
Episcopal, 2; Christian, i; New Jerusalem, i; Seventh Day 
Adventist, i. 

BANKS, 

NIational Banks 3 

Savings Banks .' 3 

Trust Companies 2 

GENERAL. Good scrvices are rendered the farming communi- 
ties by rural free deliveries and telephones. There arc two mu- 
tual fire insurance companies in the county that insure farm 
property. 

Oxford County is principally a dairy and fruit section. An 
excellent market is offered for both of these products. The 
soil seems particularly well adapted to orcharding and many 
of the fields which are too rough to be used profitably for field 
crops are well adapted to the orchard business. 





A Maine Potato Field 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 6^ 



PENOBSCOT COUNTY. 

Penobscot County was originally a part of Hancock ; the 
9th county to be incorporated and the last before the separa- 
tion from Massachusetts, Feb. 15th, 1816. Contains 53 towns, 
3 cities, and 8 organized plantations. 

AREA, 3,254 square miles. 

POPULATION, 1910, 85,285. 

POLLS, I9IO, 23,218. 
ESTATES, 1904, $36,473, 700. 

CGi/NT-^ SEAT, Baugor. 

LOCATION, north of the central part of the State. 

SURFACE. In the northeastern part of the county the sur- 
face is rolling and comparatively level. Although the fields 
are small in this section, they could easily be enlarged by clear- 
ing land that at the present time is wooded. In the western 
part some excellent farm land is found which is in the best 
of fertility. 

SOIL. Nearly all kinds of soil are found in different parts 
of the county. In the central and south central parts a clay 
and clay loam soil predominates, while in the northerly sec- 
tions it is mostly a gravel loam. 

NUMBER of farms, 7,056. 

ASSESSED valuation, $5,789,482. 

AVERAGE number acres tilled land per farm, 37. 

AVERAGE number acres^ under plow per farm, 10.4. 

GRAZING LAND. In the northern part of the county there 
is some excellent grazing land which does not ac'.:ommodate 
nearly as much stock as it is capable of doing. In the western 
part of the county the value of farm land is so high that graz- 
ing land is not nearly as available. 

SELLING VALUE OF FARM LANDS. This vaHcs Considerably in 
different sections of the county. In the western part good 
tillage land is very high, selling for $50. to $100. per acre, while 
in the northern and northeastern parts farm land can be pur- 
chased for $10. to $50. per acre. 

CROPS. 

Potatoes. Acreage, 26,155 acres. Averasre yield per acre, 
227 bu. Total yield, 1909. 5.947.727 bu. Taking (he county 
as a whole potatoes are undoubtedly the most important crop. 



64 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE, 

The land in the northern and western parts seems particularly 
well adapted to potato growing, and much more interest has 
been taken in this industry during the last two years than 
ever before. Markets are being developed and m a great 
many small towns potato houses are being built. 

Fiehd Corn. Acreage, 3,395 acres. Average yield per acre, 
48 bu. Total yield, 1909, 164,572 bu. There seems to be an 
increasing interest in the raising of flint corn ; the most of 
this is used as ensilage. 

Szccct Corn. Total acreage, 3,032 acres. Average yield 
per acre, 3069 lbs. Total yield, 1909, 9,306,819 lbs. The 
sweet corn crop is one of the most profitable farm crops which 
can be raised in this county. Many canning factories are lo- 
cated in the different towns, affording a good market. 

Oats. Total acreage, 31,446 acres. Average yield per acre, 
^y bu. Total yield, 1909, 1,193,858 bu. This is one of the 
most important grain crops and a great deal of interest is 
being shown in the improvement of oat seed. The crop is used 
for seeding down and enters into the crop rotation in all 
parts of the county. About 50% of the oats grown in the coun- 
ty are cut for fodder and the remainder are threshed. 

Hay. Total acreage, 193.490 acres. Average yield per acre, 
.92 tons. Total yield, 178,852 tons. 

MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. 

Total acreage, 7,530 acres. Value per acre, $41.09. Total 
value, $309,471.86. 

Fruit. In the southern and western parts of the county there 
are some excellent orchards. More interest is being taken in 
this line and better care is being given the orchards at the 
present time than ever before. Very few farmers are engaged 
in raising small fruits. 

Barley. Only a comparatively small acreage of barley is 
raised. This is used as a cover crop and for soiling purposes. 

Winter Rye. Very little winter rye is raised. A few of the 
farmers, however, are taking advantage of winter rye to fur- 
nish them with an early soiling crop in the spring. 

JVheat. There seems to be an increased interest in raising 
wheat and a few farmers, who have never raised wheat be- 
fore, have begun to experiment with the crop. 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 65 

LIVE STOCK. 

Cattle. Scarcely any dairy cattle are kept in the northern 
part of the county, but in the vicinity of Bangor, Corinna and 
Newport some excellent dairy herds are found. Good markets 
are afforded through the creameries and the milk condensary 
at Newport. Many of the farmers own pure bred sires and 
are rapidly grading up their stock. 

Horses. Quite a number of pure bred stallions have been 
imported during the last two years into this county, and it 
is encouraging to note that some draft horses are being raised. 
Practically all of the farm work is done with horses, and in 
the past enormous prices have been paid for many that have 
been brought into the county for farm work, 

Szmne. Only a comparatively small number of swine are 
kept upon each farm, — no one making a specialty of this line. 

Sheep. Excellent grazing opportunities are afforded for 
sheep but at the present time only comparatively few are kept. 

Poultry. There is a decided interest taken in the poultry 
industry, and a few farmers are making a specialty of poul- 
try raising and find it to be a very profitable line of farming. 

FARM HELP. About 1,920 farm laborers are required upon 
the farms and sufficient help can be found, prices averaging 
from $26.00 to $30.00 per month. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

Total number of creameries lo 

Total number of cheese factories 2 

Total number of canning factories 4 

Total number of starch factories 2 

MARKETS. Bangor furnishes an excellent home market for 
much of the produce from the farms. Many potato houses are 
being built in the different towns, and the increasing supply 
of potatoes from this county is being met by improved market- 
ing facilities. An excellent market for dairy products is af- 
forded by the creameries, and there are canning factories to 
take care of the corn crops. 

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. Total number, 4. 

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 

Railroads. The following railroads are operating in the 
5 



66 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

county: Maine Central Railroad, Bangor & Aroostook Rail- 
road and Bangor Railway & Electric Company. 

SCHOOLS. 

Number of common schools 410 

Number of schools in farming communities .... 286 

Number of Academies 6 

Higgins Classical Institute, Charleston. 
CHURCHES. Total number of churches, 147 ; Congregational, 

30; Methodist Episcopal, 28; Baptist, 26; Free Baptist, 17; 

Roman Catholic, 18 ; Christian, 9 ; Episcopal, 9 ; Universalist, 

8; Adventist, i; Unitarian, i. 



BANKS. 

Total number of National Banks, 4 

Total number of Savings Banks, : 4 

Total number of Trust Companies, 4 

Total number of Building & Loan Associa- 
tions 4 

GENERAL. There is no section of the State that has developed 
more rapidly along agricultural lines than Penobscot County. 
The farmers are practicing general agriculture, including dairy- 
ing, potato raising and corn raising. The county is well served 
with rural free deliveries and telephones, and has two mutual 
fire insurance companies that insure farm property. 

There is some excellent farm land in this county and the 
home markets are of such a nature as to demand all kinds of 
farm products. 

There are two hospitals in the City of Bangor. The Uni- 
versity of Maine is located at Orono and consists of the Col- 
lege of Arts and Sciences, College of Agriculture, College of 
Technology, College of Pharmacy and College of Law. The 
Bangor Theological Seminary is located in the City of Bangor. 



PISCATAQUIS COUNTY. 

Piscataquis County w^as formed partly from Somerset, but 
more largely from Penobscot. Incorporated March 23, 1838. 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 6/ 

A portion of its territory, nearly sixty townships, was set off 
and annexed to Aroostook, March 12, 1844. There are 20 
towns in this county. 

AREA, 3,626 square miles. 

POPULATION, 1 9 10, 19,887. 

POLLS, 1904, 5,471. 
ESTATES, 1904, $13,261,923. 

COUNTY SEAT, Dover. 

LOCATION, north central part of State. 

SURFACE. In the central part of the county the surface is 
comparatively level, but in the northern and northwestern parts 
it is hilly and broken. 

SOIL. Around the Piscataquis River there is considerable 
clay and clay loam, while back on the hills the land consists 
mostly of a gravelly loam. 

NUMBER of farms, 1,741. 

ASSESSED valuation, $1,396,128. 

AVERAGE number acres tilled land per farm, 34. 

AVERAGE number acres under plow per farm, 8.2. 

GRAZING LAND. Excellent opportunities are oflfered for the 
grazing of live stock in the greater part of the county. In 
the southern part, however, the value of farm land is so high 
that it is hardly profitable to use the land for grazing purposes. 

SELLING VALUE OF FARM LANDS. This varics Considerably 
in the different sections of the county ; in the vicinity of Dover, 
Foxcroft and Guilford, farm land is high, selling for $40 to 
$80. per acre. In the vicinity of Milo and Brownville, where 
the fields are small and somewhat rough, the value of farm 
land is much lower. 

CROPS. 

Potatoes. Total acreage, 6,416. Average yield per acre, 
242 bu. Total yield, 1,555,423 bu. There has been a decided 
increase in the interest taken in potato raising during the past 
two years, until, at the present time, potatoes are the most 
important of the crops raised, the farms in the central part of 
the county raising between six and fifteen acres per farm. 

Field Corn. Total acreage, 988 acres. Average yield per 
acre, 33 bu. Total yield, 1909, 33,133 bushels. More atten- 
tion is being given to corn than ever before. Considerable 
difficulty has been experienced in this county in maturing the 



68 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAI Nil. 

crop on account of the short season ; however, by practicing 
selection, many of the farmers have been able to isolate a 
variety of corn that will mature. 

Sweet Corn. Total acreage, 454 acres. Average yield per 
acre, 1,785 lbs. Total yield, 1909, 810,648 lbs. Some of the 
farmers in the central section raise considerable sweet corn. 
There are sufficient corn canneries to furnish good markets 
for the sweet corn crop. 

Oats. Total acreage, 7,492 acres. Average yield per acre, 
38 bu. Total yield, 1909, 289,772 bushels. Oats is the most 
important grain crop raised by the farmers, and is generally 
used for seeding down. The majority of the oats are threshed, 
the remainder being cut green for fodder. 

Fruit. In the central section of the county some fine or- 
chards are found, but in the northern and northwestern parts 
the orchards are small and have been sadly neglected. The 
land in Piscataquis County seems to be particularly well adapted 
to orcharding. 

Hay. Total acreage, 43,006 acres. Average yield per acre, 
.95 tons. Total yield, 41,258 tons. 

MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. 

Total acreage, 494 acres. Value per acre, $59.54. Total 
value, $29,415.29. 

Barley. There seems to be an increased interest in the bar- 
ley crop and some farmers are raising barley instead of oats. 

Winter Rye. Only a small acreage of winter rye is raised, 
this being used as a cover crop and for soiling purposes. 

LIVE STOCK. 

Cattle. Nearly every farmer in the county has between 
4 and 10 cows. There are plenty of creameries which afford 
good markets for dairy products. Considerable interest is 
being shown during the last few years in breeding pure bred 
stock ; Jersey and Jersey Grades predominate. 

Horses. Very few horses are raised. There are to be found, 
however, a few pure bred stallions and some of the farmers 
are raising colts. 

Sheep. Piscataquis County affords some excellent oppor- 
tunities for sheep raising, but only a comparatively small num- 
ber are kept. Many more could be accommodated if the fences 
of the pastures were fitted up for keeping sheep. 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE, 69 

Swine. Nearly every farmer has a few hogs, but none are 
making a specialty of this industry. 

Poultry. There are a few specialists raising poultry and 
the majority of the farmers seem to be taking more interest 
in poultry raising than ever before. 

FARM HELP. Farm help is rather scarce, but this is due, prob- 
ably, to the fact that comparatively low prices are paid, ranging 
from $24 to $28 per month. 



MANUFACTORIES. 

Total number of creameries 3 

Total number of canneries i 

Total number of starch factories i 

MARKETS. Owing to a large increase in the acreage of pota- 
toes raised during the last few years, there have been quite a 
good many potato houses built at the railroad centers. These 
furnish a good market for potatoes. A sufficient number of 
corn canning factories is found which give a good market for 
sweet corn. Buyers of apples and of poultry products are nu- 
merous. 

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. Total number, i ; Piscataquis 
County Agricultural Society. 



TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 

Railroads. Transportation facilities are good, the county 
being crossed by both the Bangor & Aroostook and Maine Cen- 
tral Railroads. 



SCHOOLS. 

Total number of common schools 128 

Total number of schools in farming communities 81 

Total number of High Schools 7 

Foxcroft Academy, Foxcroft. 
Monson Academy, Monson. 
CHURCHES. Total number of churches, 54 ; Methodist Epis- 
copal, 15; Baptist, it; Free Baptist, 10: Congregational. 6; 
Universalist, 5 ; Roman Catholic, 4 ; Adventist, 2 ; Episco- 
pal, I. 



72 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

LIVE STOCK. 

Cattle. Although there has been a decrease in the number 
of cattle kept in Sagadahoc County during the past two seasons, 
there has been much more attention paid to grading up the 
herds, and as a result a much better class of animals is found at 
the present time. Excellent opportunities are afforded for 
dairying on account of the good pastures and exceptionally good 
markets. 

Horses. Very few horses are raised. There seems to be an 
increasing interest in the raising of draft horses, for a few 
pure bred stallions are now found in different parts of the 
county. Practically all of the horses used have been bought, the 
prices ranging from $200 to $400. 

Swine. The average farmer seems to make a practice of 
keeping about 4 hogs, to which he feeds skim milk and other 
by-products. Although there is an excellent market for dispos- 
ing of this product, no men who are making a specialty of rais- 
ing swine are found in the county. 

Sheep. Although but comparatively few sheep are kept, the 
average flock seldom exceeding 8, on account of the grazing 
opportunities of the county this industry would be a profitable 
auxiliary to the farm. 

Poultry. A great deal of interest is taken at the present time 
in poultry raising. This is probably due to the markets that 
are afforded by the nearness to such cities as Portland and Bos- 
ton. A few farmers are making a specialty of keeping poultry. 

FARM HELP. There seems to be some difficulty in securing 
sufficient farm help and at the present time only 16.^ laborers 
are employed on the farms of the county. The scarcity of farm 
help may be accounted for by the fact that there is seldom a 
laborer who receives over $24 or $25 a month. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

Total number of creameries i 

Total number of canning factories i 

MARKETS. No Other county in the State is better located 

for marketing farm products than this county, as it is reached 

by both boats and railroad, and buyers of potatoes, apples and 

farm products are numerous. 

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. Total number, 2. Sagadahoc Coun- 




M 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 73 

ty Agricultural Society, Topsham; Richmond Farmers' Club, 
Richmond. 

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 

Railroads. The county is crossed in two places by the Maine 
Central Railroad. 

Steamboats. Much of the freight sent out from Sagadahoc 
County is handled by the steamboat lines to Boston, New York 
and other cities. 

SCHOOLS. 

Total number of common schools 95 

Total number of schools in farming communities 54 

Total number of High Schools 4 

CHURCHES. Total number of Churches, 42 ; Methodist Epis- 
copal, 8 ; Congregational, 7 ; Baptist, 5 ; Free Baptist, 9 ; Uni- 
versalist, 4 ; Episcopal, 2 and i summer chapel ; 7th Day Ad- 
ventist, 3; Roman Catholic, 2; New Jerusalem, i. 

BANKS. 

National Banks 5 

Savings Banks 2 

Trust Companies I 

Building & Loan Associations i 

GENERAL. The county is well served with rural free deliveries 
and telephones, nearly every farming community being reached. 
There are three mutual fire insurance companies, insuring farm 
property. 

Some of the special advantages of Sagadahoc County are the 
comparatively low value of farm lands, excellent opportunities 
for orcharding, and the fact that there are many farms which 
could be bought at reasonable prices and easily made much more 
profitable by practicing improved methods. 



SOMERSET COUNTY. 

Formerly the northern part of Kennebec County. Incor- 
ported in March, 1809. Portions of this county have been given 
to Franklin, Piscataquis and Aroostook. 



74 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

AREA, 3,831 square miles. 

POPULATION, 19 10, 36,301. 
POLLS, 1904, 10,371. 
ESTATES, 1904, $10,978,376. 

COUNTY SEAT, Skowliegan. 

LOCATION, northwest of the central part of the State. 

SURFACE. Most of the surface is hilly and broken, with small 
fields. In the river valleys some large farms are found with 
excellent fields. 

SOIL. In the river valleys the soil consists of a deep loam; 
on the plains and hills, a gravelly loam and some clay loam. 

NUMBER of farms, 3,642. 

ASSESSED valuation, $3,842,729. 

AVERAGE number acres tilled land per farm, 42. 

AVERAGE number acres under plow per farm, 8.8. 

GRAZING LAND. Somc excellent grazing land is found in 
Somerset County. Not nearly as much live stock is kept as 
could be accommodated. 

SELLING VALUE OF FARM LANDS. Tillage land, two miles from 
the railroad station, is worth $60 per acre ; the same land at a 
distance of 5 miles, $30 per acre. Illustration : An 80 acre farm 
40 acres of which is good tillage land, with a good wood lot, 
good pasture and good buildings, 2J/2 miles from the village, 
Sold for $5,000. 

CROPS. 

Potatoes. Total acreage, 12,022. Average yield per acre, 
205 bushels. Total yield, 2,471,355 bushels. The land in Som- 
erset County is particularly well adapted to potato raising and 
more interest is being exhibited each year in this crop. A few 
potato houses are being built in the villages, and markets for 
this product are steadily improving. 

Field Corn. Total acreage, 1,918 acres. Average yield per 
acre, 44 bushels. Total yield, 85,444 bushels. Although only a 
small acreage of field corn has been raised in the past, there 
seems to be an increasing interest in this crop and many farmers 
are raising more corn each year. About 35% of the corn crop 
consists of yellow corn of which about half is used for silos and 
the remainder is sbocked. 

Sweet Corn. Total acreage, 3.470 acres. Average yield per 
acre, 1,910 lbs. Total yield. 6,630,378 lbs. The land of Somer- 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 75 

set County is well adapted to sweet corn raising, and this is one 
of the most important crops of the county. A good market is 
afforded as there are sufficient canning factories. 

Oats. Total acreage, 15,705 acres. Average yield per acre, 
32 bushels. Total yield, 502,764 bushels. This crop is used for 
seeding down by most of the farmers. Some dairymen cut part 
of the oats for fodder, but the majority allow them to ripen. 

Hay. Total acreage, 125,522 acres. Yield per acre, .85 tons. 
Total yield, 107,673 tons. 

Fruit. Some excellent orchards are found in the county. 
Many have been neglected in the past but are receiving proper 
care and attention at the present time. There seems to be more 
interest in orcharding recently, and the markets are good. 

MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. 

Total acreage, 1,065 acres. Average value per acre, $55.98. 
Total value, $59,629. 

Barley. Considerable barley is raised in this county by the 
dairymen, and it is also used to some extent for soiling purposes 
as well as for grain. A number of farmers are practicing selec- 
tion with the barley crop and they believe it can be economically 
raised in this county. 

Winter Rye. This is used only as a cover crop and the acre- 
age is small. 

Roots. A small acreage of roots is raised by some of the 
dairymen. 

LIVE STOCK. 

Cattle. Considerable interest has been exhibited in dairying 
the past few years. There are some pure bred sires in the 
county and most of the dairymen are grading up their herds as 
fast as possible. Most of the dairy products are disposed of to 
the creameries. Some beef cattle and work oxen are still being 
raised, but, as the interest in dairying has increased, less atten- 
tion has been given this line of animal industry. 

Horses. More horses are being kept each year. Work that 
was formerly done with oxen is now being done with draft 
horses. The majority of these are being brought from the West 
at enormous prices. 

Sheep. Somerset County ranks among the first counties in 
the State in the number of sheep kept. Very good pastures are 



76 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

found, and more live stock could easily be accommodated than 
is kept at the present time. No county in the State is better 
adapted to sheep raising and there are several farmers who are 
making a specialty of this line of animal industry. 

Szvine. There has been an increased number of swine kept 
during the past few years. 

Poultry. More poultry is being kept each year and there are 
a few men who are making a specialty along this line. Good 
local and outside markets are afforded. 

Farm Help. 485 laborers are required upon the farms of 
Somerset County. There seems to be a little difficulty in obtain- 
ing farm help, but this can undoubtedly be accounted for by the 
fact that the wages paid are only from $20 to $26 per month. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

Total number of creameries 4 

Total number of cheese factories 2 

Total number of canning factories 6 

MARKETS. There are sufficient creameries and corn canning 
factories to furnish a market for these products of the farm. 
Numerous potato houses facilitate the marketing of this crop, 
and a good local or outside market can be found for the apple 
crop and other products. 

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. Total number, 5. 

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 

Railroads. The county is crossed by the Maine Central and 
Somerset Railroads. 

SCHOOLS. 

Total number of common schools 265 

Total number of schools in farming communities 178 

Total number of High Schools , 15 

Anson Academy, Anson. 
Somerset Academy, Athens. 
Maine Central Institute, Pittsfield. 
CHURCHES. Total number of churches, 76; Methodist Epis- 
copal, 21 ; Congregational. 14; Baptist, 6; Free Baptist, 12; 
Poman Catholic. 5; 7th Day Adventist, 6; Universalist, 4; 
Episcopal, 4; Friends, 2; Adventist, i; Christian, i. 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 'J'J 

BANKS. 

Total number National Banks 4 

Total number Savings Banks 2 

Total number Trust Companies i 

Total number Building & Loan Associations... 2 
GENERAL. The farms in the county are well located, with 
very good telephone and rural free delivery service. The fact that 
there has been an increase in population of about 3,000 within 
the last 10 years shows that people are recognizing the agri- 
cultural opportunities of this county. Some excellent farms are 
found in the Kennebec River valley. The county is well adapt- 
ed to dairying and the markets are very good. 

The New Portland Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which 
insures farm property, is located at New Portland. 

WALDO COUNTY. 

Waldo County was formerly a part of Hancock. Named from 
General Waldo. Incorporated Feb. 7, 1827. Territory enlarged 
Jan. 22, 18:8. Contains twenty-five towns and one city. 

AREA, 748 square miles. 

POPULATION, 1910, 23,383. 

POLLS, 1904, 7,157. 
ESTATES, 1904, $9,746,039. 

COUNTY SEAT, Belfast. 

LOCATION, in the southern part of State, in center of coast line. 

SURFACE. Very broken, hilly and rocky in the northern part. 
The southern part is cut up by small areas of wood land and 
many ravines. 

SOIL. In the northern part, on the ridges and hills, the land 
consists almost entirely of gravelly loam. In some of the river 
valleys and lower land a clay loam is found, while down near 
the coast the land is made up for the most part of sandy loam. 

NUMBER of farms, 3,704. 

ASSESSED valuation, $3,469,423. 

AVERAGE number acres tilled land per farm, 31. 

AVERAGE number acres under plow per farm. 7.4. 

GRAZING LAND. Much of the land in Waldo County is well 
adapted to grazing. The pastures as a rule are rough and could 
not be economically tilled. Much more stock could be kept than 
is accommodated at the present time. 



7? AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

SELLING VALUE OF FARM LANDS. Good tillage land within two 
miles from the city of Belfast has a value of about $35 per 
acre ; back five miles, the same kind of land has a vo.lue of about 
^2^:, per acre. In the northern part of the county farm land is 
much cheaper than this. Illustration : A farm of too acres, 
40 acres of which is good tillable land, good buildings, two miles 
from railroad station, sold for $1200. 

CROPS. 

Potatoes. Total acreage, 9,520 acres. Average yield per 
acre, 241 bushels. Total yield, 1909, 2,300,121 bushels. Much 
more interest has been taken in this crop during the last few 
years than ever before. The land seems to be very well adapted 
to potato growing, with the exception of wet years when some 
of the low land is too wet to obtain the best results. The acre- 
age of potatoes raised in the last two years has increased decid- 
edly. In many towns potato houses have been built, in this way 
providing much better marketing facilities. 

Field Corn. Total acreage, about 1,093 acres. Average yield, 
48 bushels. Total yield, 1909, 53,100 bushels. Not quite as 
much field corn is raised as could be economically cared for 
upon the farms of Waldo County. 

Siveet Corn. Total acreage, 1,394 acres. Average yield, 
2027 lbs. Total yield, 1909, 2,826,130 lbs. There has been an 
increasing interest in the corn crop during the last year. In 
some parts of the county corn canning factories have been built, 
and as a result, more sweet corn has been raised. 

Oats. Total acreage, 10,345 acres. Average yield per acre, 
38 bushels. Total yield, 1909, 402,879 bushels. Nearly every 
farm has a small acreage of oats, this crop being generally used 
for seeding down. Most of the crop is threshed, with only a 
comparatively small amount cut green. 

Hay. Total acreage, 98,395 acres. Average yield per acre, 
.69 tons. Total yield, 68,111 tons. 

MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. 

Total acreage, 1,029 acres. Value per acre, $46.19. Total 
value, $47,533- 

Fruit. On nearly all of the farms is found a small orchard of 
from 50 to 100 trees. The majority of these are old, and have 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 79 

?.%-t'# E ^'■'^■'' 

been neglected. The county is well adapted to orcharding and 
this line of agriculture could be made one of the most profitable 
if more care and proper management were given the trees. 

Wheat. The poultry specialists of Waldo County are raising 
considerable wheat, using the straw for bedding purposes and 
feeding the whole wheat. 

Barley. Some barley is being raised and is used for soiling 
purposes and for feeding poultry. 

LIVE STOCK. 

Cattle. Not many cattle are kept by the farmers in this 
county, the herds averaging from three to five cows each. The 
market for dairy products in this county calls for cream or but- 
ter and owing to this fact grade Jerseys and Jerseys predomi- 
nate. A decrease in the number of beef animals and oxen show 
that more interest is being taken in dairying. 

Horses. Very few horses are raised. There has been an 
increase in the number used upon the farms and this demand is 
being supplied by horses purchased in the West. A few pure 
bred stallions are found in the county and some farmers are 
raising colts. 

Sziine. The average number of swine kept upon each farm 
will not exceed 4. There are, however, a number of men mak- 
ing a specialty in this line. 

Sheep. Although excellent grazing opportunities are oflFered 
for sheep raising upon some of these hilly farms, only small 
flocks are found. With a little repair work on the fences, the 
pastures could be made to accommodate many more sheep. 

Poultry. There is no other line of agriculture that has made 
more advancement in the last few years than the poultry indus- 
try. Many specialists are found who keep from one to five 
thousand hens. On account of the small fields, the land is 
hardly fitted for raising large acreages of farm products, but is 
particularly well adapted for such branches of agriculture as 
poultry raising. Markets are first class. 

FARM HELP. Although the wages that are paid in Waldo 
County are very low, there does not seem to be such a scarcity 
of farm help as is found in some other counties. The average 
wages paid during the summer months are $24 to $26 per month. 



8o AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

Total number of creameries 8 

Total number of canning factories 3 

MARKETS. Although Belfast is the only city in the county, it 
aflfords a market for farm products, and the good transportation 
facilities enable the farmers to ship their goods to other markets 
very readily. Several potato houses are located in the county 
which furnish good markets for this crop. Buyers of apples and 
poultry products are numerous. Many of the poultry specialists 
are shipping their products direct to the city and find it to be 
much more profitable than doing business with local dealers. 

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. Total number, 3. 

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 

Railroads. The western part of the county is crossed by the 
Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Ry. On the east, the 
county is crossed by the Maine Central and Bangor & Aroostook 
railroads ; there are also several steamboat lines which handle a 
large amount of freight during the summer months. 

SCHOOLS. 

Total number of common schools 193 

Total number of schools in farming communities 140 

Total number of High Schools 10 

Freedom Academy, Freedom, Maine. 
CHURCHES. Total number, 53 ; Methodist Episcopal, 13 : Con- 
gregational, 12; Baptist, 8; Free Baptist, 9; Roman Catholic, 4; 
Universalist, 3 ; Friends, 2 ; Unitarian, i ; Episcopal, i sum- 
mer chapel. 

BANKS. 

National Banks 2 

Savings Banks 2 

Trust Companies 2 

Building & Loan Associations i 

GENERAL. Rural free deliveries and telephones give excellent 
service. There is one hospital in Waldo County, located in the 
citv of Belfast. An excellent opportunity is offered in Waldo 
County to start in farming with small capital as the value of 
farm land is low and markets are good. 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 8l 

WASHINGTON COUNTY. 

Formerly embraced Aroostook, which was taken off in 1839. 
Incorporated June 25, 1789. Contains 2 cities and 45 towns. 
AREA, 2,456 square miles. 
POPULATION, 1910, 42,905. 

POLLS, 1904, 11,582. 
ESTATES, 1904, $13,687,471. 

COUNTY SEAT, Machias. 

LOCATION, eastern part of State. 

SURFACE, rough, uneven and diversified, with small fields. 

SOIL, loam and gravelly loam in the northeastern part of the 
county, and along the coast clay and sandy loam. 

NUMBER of farms, 3,122. 

ASSESSED valuation, $1,742,957.90. 

AVERAGE number acres tilled land per farm, 22. 

AVERAGE number acres under plow per farm, 4.7. 

GRAZING LAND. Opportunities for grazing are good in Wash- 
ington County. Much of the farm land is comparatively cheap 
and for this reason can be profitably devoted to grazing. 

SELLING VALUE OF FARM LANDS. The valuc of farm land 
varies from $20 to $40 per acre, according to the fertility of the 
land and the proximity to market. 

CROPS. 

Potatoes. Total acreage, 6278. Average yield per acre, 206 
bushels. Total yield, 1,296,062 bushels. There has been a 
decided increase in the amount of potatoes raised in the county. 
Good markets are afforded for this crop and nearly every farm 
has one or two acres. 

Field Corn. Total acreage, 31. Average yield per acre, 60 
bushels. Total yield, 1870 bushels. Only a small acreage of 
field corn is raised ; this is due partially to the short season, and 
also to the fact that not very much live stock is kept by the 
farmers. 

Oats. Total acreage, 4,916 acres. Average yield per acre, 
37 bushels. Total yield, 184,132 bushels. This is one of the most 
important crops raised in Washington County. About 50% of 
the oat crop is threshed and the remainder cut green for hay. 

Hay. Total acreage, 54,487 acres. Average yield per acre, 
.95 tons; total yield, 52,031 tons. 
6 . 



82 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. 

Total acreage, 2,290 acres. Value per acre, $79.57. Total 
value, $182,222. 

Szvcct Corn. Only a very small acreage of sweet corn is 
raised in the county. The land is well adapted for this crop 
and much more could profitably be raised. 

Wheat. Some wheat is raised by the farmers and is used for 
the most part for feeding hens. 

Barley. Some barley is raised and is used for soiling pur- 
poses. 

Fruit. Although considerable interest is taken in orcharding 
in this county, there are yet many orchards which are in need of 
better care. The county contains much land that is well adapted 
to orcharding and the markets are good. 

LIVE STOCK. 

Cattle. More interest has been taken in dairying in this 
county within the last few years, than formerly. Not nearly as 
many dairy animals are kept at the present time as can easily 
be provided for, but the farmers are beginning to grade up their 
herds. There has been a decrease in the number of oxen and 
beef animals kept. 

Horses. Much of the work that was formerly done with 
oxen is being done with horses and quite a number are shipped 
into the county each year. At the present time very few farmers 
are breeding draft horses. 

Swine. There are no farmers who are making a specialty of 
raising swine, although a few hogs are kept on each farm. Both 
home and outside markets are good for this product. 

Sheep. Many more sheep could be accommodated than are 
kept at the present time, if the fences were repaired. Sheep are 
found only in small flocks. 

. Poultry. There has been a decided increase in the interest 
taken in poultry raising. Some farmers are making a specialty 
of this line of farm work and find it to be very profitable. 

FARM HELP. Opportunity is afforded for 354 laborers on the 
farms of Washington County. Labor is somewhat scarce, but 
this is probably accounted for by the low wages paid — from 
$26 to $30 per month. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

Miscellaneous Canning Factories. There are many cartning 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 83 

factories for canning blueberries, apples, small fruits and such 
products. 

MARKETS. The home markets for farm products in Washing- 
ton County are good. As this county is on the coast, there are 
numerous summer resorts that afford a good market for gar- 
den truck. 

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 

Railroads. Washington County is crossed by the Maine Cen- 
tral Railroad. 

Steamboat Lines. Considerable freight is handled over the 
steamboat lines, boats running daily to Boston during the sum- 
mer months. 

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. Total number, 3. 

SCHOOLS. 

Total number common schools 251 

Total number scliools in farming communities. . 170 

Total number of High Schools 15 

Academies 3 

CHURCHES. Total number of churches, iO(S; Methodist Epis- 
copal, 19; Congregaticnal. 24; l^aptist, 21 ; Roman Cat!:oIic, 12; 
Adventist, 8; Universalist, 4; Christian. 3; Disciples, 3; 
Episcopal, 2, and i summer chapel; Unitarian, i. 

15ANKS. 

National Banks ; 2 

Savings Banks 2 

Trust Companies 2 

Building & Lean Assoc'ations i 

GENERAL. The farmers are well served with rural free de- 
livery and telephones. As the value of farm lands is very low, 
excellent opportunity is offered to one starting in farming with 
a small capital. 

There is one hospital in Washington County, the Chipman 
Memorial Hospital, located at Calais. 



84 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

YORK COUNTY. 

The original name given by Gorges to his Provinces was New 
Somersetshire. Jn 1658, when Massachusetts assumed and 
enforced her jurisdiction over the territory, she gave to it the 
name of Yorkshire, which extended, by the charter of 1691, over 
what is now the whole State, and retained until 1760, when the 
counties of Cumberland and Lincoln were taken from it and 
separately incorporated. The Court of Common Pleas was 
granted to it in 1659, and regularly held to the time of separa- 
tion ; but the supreme court was not granted until 1699, and 
was held in Kittery until 1743, when it was transferred to York. 

AREA, 957 square miles. 

POPULATION, 1910, 68,526. 

POLLS, 1904, 18,134. 
ESTATES, 1904, $32,401,307. 

COUNTY SEAT, Alfred. 

LOCATION, in the extreme southwestern part of State. 

SURFACE, rolling and somewhat broken with woods. Well 
wooded with second growth of beech, birch, maple, oak, white 
pine, spruce and some hard pine. 

SOIL. There seems to be all kinds of soil in small areas. 
Gravelly loam is found on upland land, some clay and sandy 
loam on the intervales. 

NUMBER of farms, 4,707. 

ASSESSED valuation, $5,654,621. 

AVERAGE number acres tilled land per farm, 32. 

AVERAGE number acres under plow per farm, 4.6. 

GRAZING LAND. The grazing land of York County affords an 
excellent opportunity for keeping much more live stock than is 
kept at the present time. 

SELLING VALUE OF FARM LANDS. Good tillage land, 2 miles 
from a village, has a value of about $45 per acre. At a distance 
of 4 miles from a village, $30 per acre. The value varies con- 
siderably according to the fertility of the soil, kind of buildings 
and the amount of lumber found on the different farms. 

CROPS. 

Potatoes. Total acreage, 5,409. Average yield per acre, 134 
bushels. Total yield, 729,857 bushels. Although there is an 
excellent market for this crop, only a small acreage is raised per 




% %' u 



'J'^'^'i; '■•%*■ 




Oat Field of C. Fred Tripp, Jr. 




(Another View) 
Oat Field of C. Fred Tripp, Jr., Canton Point 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 8$ 

farm ; there seems to be an increasing interest in the crop, how- 
ever, for the acreage has increased sUghtly in the last year or 
two. Excellent opportunities are offered for raising potatoes 
as the land is comparatively smooth and machinery could be 
used to good advantage. 

Field Corn. Total acreage, 4,677 acres. Average yield per 
acre, 45 bushels. Total yield, 214,553 bushels. The interest 
taken in raising yellow corn is shown by the increased acreage. 
Silos are being built and a large part of the corn is cut for this 
purpose. Many farmers find it profitable to pick part of the 
corn and cut the remainder into. the silos. 

Szvcet Corn. Total acreage, 1,609 acres. Average yield per 
acre, 2063 lbs. Total yield 3,320,819 lbs. Prices paid for sweet 
corn have increased within the last year and more interest is 
taken in this crop as well as in field corn. 

Oats. Total acreage, 4,473 acres. Average yield per acre, 
32 bushels. Total yield, 147,187 bushels. Practically all the 
oats raised are cut for fodder, only a few being threshed. 

Hay. Total acreage, 121,835 acres. Yield per acre, .87 tons. 
Total yield, 106,953 tons. Hay is the principal crop grown in 
this county. There is no doubt but that the yield could be 
increased considerably if the farmers would practice a shorter 
rotation. Many of the fields that have been raising hay from 
10 to 20 years would yield a much better crop if plowed up and 
cultivated. 

Frtiit. Some excellent orchard land is found in the northern 
part of York county, and there are many orchards here which 
seem to be fairly well cared for. There is a very good market 
and the majority of the apples are sold to commission men who 
take them right from the farms. An increase over the price 
paid by these commission men would undoubtedly be received if 
the farmers would ship their own apples. 

MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. 

Total acreage, 2,010 acres. Value per acre, $36.17. Total 
value, $72,710. Nearly all of the miscellaneous crops raised 
consist of market garden crops grown in the vicinity of Saco 
and Biddeford, and by farmers who dispose of their products 
to the summer resorts. 

Barley. Some barley is raised by the dairymen, a part of 
which is threshed and the remainder used for soiling purposes. 



86 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 

Roots. Very few farmers raise many roots. The season is 
long enough in this county to allow the maturing of corn, and 
ensilage seems to take the place of roots with the dairymen. 

LIVE STOCK. 

Cattle. The live stock industry in York County consists 
mostly of dairying, and the number of pure bred animals that 
are kept seems to be increasing. Excellent markets i.re oflfered 
by the cities and summer resorts. Grade animals predominate, 
but many are registered, mostly Jerseys and Holsteins. 

Horses. Very few horses are raised, but during the last few 
years many have been purchased, as most of the work that was 
formerly done with oxen is now being done with horses. 

Sivine. Only a very few farmers are making a specialty of 
swine raising. A few hogs are owned by each farmer. This 
industry could be made one of the most profitable auxiliaries to 
farming, as there is an excellent market for this product. 

Sheep. Although there is excellent grazing land for sheep 
in the central and western parts of the county, only a compara- 
tively small number are kept. The pastures could easily be made 
to accommodate a great deal more live stock, if the fences were 
repaired. 

Poultry. The poultry industry is on the increase. A few 
men are found who are making a specialty of this business and, 
owing to the excellent markets, many of the farmers are keeping 
more than ever before. 

FARM HELP. At the present time, about 537 laborers are re- 
quired upon the farms in York County. The wages paid are 
only about $r8 per month, and the young men prefer to work in 
the mills at better wages than on the farm. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

Total number of creameries 4 

Total number of canning factories 2 

MARKETS. No county in the State has better markets than 
York County. Owing to its location, many of the farm products 
can be disposed of near home, to such cities as Saco, Ciddeford, 
Portland and Boston. Potato houses are being built in the rail- 
road centers and furnish a market for this crop within a very 
short distance from the farms on which it is grown. 
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. Total number, 2. 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF MAINE. 87 

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 

Railroads. Excellent railroad service is given the farmers as 
the county is crossed in two places by the Boston & Maine and 
Maine Central Railroads. The Biddeford & Saco Electric R. 
R. Co. and the Portland (Electric) R. R. Co. also operate in this 
county. 

SCHOOLS. 

Total number of common schools 283 

Total number of schools in farming communities 173 

Total number of High Schools 18 

Total number of Academies 5 

Parsonsfield Seminary, Parsonsfield. 
CHURCHES. Total number of Churches, 143; Baptist, 26; 
Free Baptist, 17; Methodist Episcopal, 26; Congregational, 
25; Roman Catholic, 11; Christian, 10; Adventist, 8; Uni- 
versalist, 5 ; Unitarian, 4 ; Episcopal, 3 and 6 summer chapels ; 
Friends, 2. 

BANKS. 

Total number National Banks 12 

Total number Savings Banks 7 

Total number Trust Companies i 

Building & Loan Associations 3 

GENERAL, York County is well served with rural free de- 
liveries and telephones. It has three mutual fire insurance com- 
panies that insure farm property. 

One of the special advantages of this county is that farm 
land is comparatively cheap at the present time, and as there are 
two cities that are growing rapidly the value of the farms will 
undoubtedly increase considerably in the next few years. The 
county being situated in the extreme southern part of the state 
gives an excellent opportunity for raising corn. Excellent mar- 
keting opportunities are offered, and good transportation facili- 
ties by rail and steamboat lines are to be had to Boston and 
New York. 



